The Hermitage boasts a rich, dense past. The Romans already knew of and enjoyed the ¿Vienna Wines¿ (alongside the Côte-Rôtie wines) that were then named ¿wines of the Saint-Christophe hillside¿ due to a chapel located there dedicated to the saint. It was in the 17th century that the name Hermitage appeared, in memory of a knight returning from the Crusades who had tired of war and who is said to have lived as a hermit on this hill owned by Anne of Castile, Queen of Spain. He is said to have replanted a vineyard here, which has since been known as the "Hermitage". The Hermitage is one of the world's greatest reds. Once upon a time, due to its colour and robust nature, it was often added to weaker Bordeaux, including the Château Lafite Rothschild, but today it enjoys incomparable celebrity in its own right. Boileau, Louis XIII, Nicolas II and Alexandre Dumas are just a few of the countless fans of this highly appreciated wine. Boasting a well-defined deep ruby colour, these full-bodied and rounded wines develop an incredible wealth of aromas characterised by notes of violet, spices and blackcurrant. Featuring fantastic ageing potential, the best vintages will gain in delicacy and harmony over time.