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Vineyards
The Les Bessards vineyard is located on the largest of Hermitage's 3 granite
hills and is the steepest and most westerly section of Hermitage with
soil of decomposed black granite and sandy gravel. The vineyard has a
limited number of ancient terraces with the vines running perpendicular
to the slope. The Chapel of St. Christopher is located slighly east of
this 100% Syrah section of Hermitage.
Terroir
Located just a few kilometers north of the small city of Valence, directly
on the banks of the Rhône river, Hermitage is made up of three distinct
hills. Les Bessards is on the western edge of the largest and steepest
hill. One can find L'Hermite, le Méal and Les Greffieux directly
east of Les Bessards on the main hill. The other two hills are to the
east of Les Bessards and each progressively smaller than the main dome.
With a southern exposure, Hermitage is subjected
to intense sunlight and the dark granite soil is retains the summer heat,
allowing for full and even ripeness. And the steep south facing hillside
is naturally protected from the fierce gusts of le mistral.
History According
to the acclaimed wine writer and historian John Livingstone-Learmonth,
the Greeks first brought vines to Hermitage around 500 B.C. The Romans
are also known to have cultivated vines in Hermitage as Pliny
the Elder mentions the wines of Tegna (the Roman name for Tain-l'Hermitage)
in his Natural History. In fact, many local historians believe
the vineyards of Hermitage to be the oldest in the Rhône Valley,
and therefore the oldest in France.
The name Hermitage, according to legend, comes from
the French word "ermite" which means hermit. Gaspard de Sterimberg,
a wounded 13th century crusader seeking refuge, built the Chapel of St.
Christopher at the top of the largest domed hill and lived the rest of
his life in self-imposed seclusion. The Chapel was later rebuilt and can
be seen today from the town of Tain l'Hermitage 200 meters below.
Well known in 17th century England, the wines of
Hermitage are referenced by Thomas Shadwells in his 1680 play The Woman-Captain.
During the early 1800's the the Russian Imperial Court considered Hermitage
a favorite wine. And Thomas Jefferson, who some say was America's first
wine connoisseur, appreciated the fine wines of Hermitage, writing that
Red Hermitage has a "full body, dark purple color...exquisite flavor and
perfume which is compared to that of rasberry."
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