2000 M. Chapoutier Ermitage de l'Oree Blanc

"These wines usually flirt with perfection, which is the case with the 2000 Ermitage Cuvée de l’Oree. It boasts an amazing nose of licorice, minerals, acacia flowers, honeysuckle, and a hint of butter. Unctuously-textured and full-bodied, with great intensity and purity, yet remarkably light on its feet, it can be drunk over the next 3-4 years, then forgotten for a decade, after which it will last for 40-50 years. Year in and year out, one of the most profound white Hermitages produced is Chapoutier’s Cuvée de l’Oree. These are controversial dry whites because they tend to taste great young, go into a funky, nearly oxidized stage, and re-emerge at age 10-15 as full-blown, waxy, honeyed, dry wines with the potential to age for 20-50 years." - 100/100 Wine Advocate