The powerful, structured, dense 1998 Hermitage blanc offers up aromas of white flowers, minerals, oranges, and pineapple. This is a big-bodied effort needing time in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2016. Importer: Fred Ek, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153

The powerful, structured, dense 1998 Hermitage blanc offers up aromas of white flowers, minerals, oranges, and pineapple. This is a big-bodied effort needing time in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2016. Importer: Fred Ek, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153

Having spent 18 months in wood, it is not surprising that this wine is dominated by wood even now. But what is even more impressive is the richness and power of this blockbuster white wine. For Guigal, 1998 is a year for white wines that age, and this will certainly mature for 10 years at least, probably 20. ——R.V.(6/1/2002)—— 91