Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Cote Rotie La Mordoree 1991
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Chapoutier has fashioned three terrific luxury cuvees of Cote Rotie La Mordoree. I thought the 1991 Cote Rotie Cuvee La Mordoree to be in the same class as the great single vineyard Cote Roties made by Marcel Guigal (i.e., La Mouline, La Turque, and La Landonne). La Mordoree is more akin to La Mouline in its seductive, other-worldly fragrance and layers of sweet, expansive, velvety-textured fruit. Only 400 cases were made of this saturated purple-colored wine. Its huge bouquet and spectacularly rich, layered personality offer an astonishing example of what low yields from a naturally farmed vineyard and an unfined, unfiltered winemaking philosophy can achieve. Chapoutier's aim is to produce an exceptionally perfumed, soft, elegant cuvee of Cote Rotie, and a luxury cuvee that takes Cote Rotie's black-raspberry, exotic fruitiness and elegance to the limits of intensity, a la Marcel Guigal's La Mouline. Importer: Paterno Imports, Chicago, IL; Tel. (312) 247-7070
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
In the same class as the great single-vineyard Cote Roties made by Marcel Guigal (i.e., La Mouline, La Turque, and La Landonne), La Mordoree is most akin to La Mouline in its seductive, otherworldly fragrance and layers of sweet, expansive, velvety-textured fruit. There were 400 cases made of this saturated purple-colored wine. Its huge bouquet and spectacularly rich, layered personality offer an astonishing example of what low yields from a naturally farmed vineyard and an unfined, unfiltered winemaking philosophy can achieve. Anticipated maturity: now-2020. Last tasted 7/96.
About the Producer
Founded in 1808, M. Chapoutier owns 175 hectares of vines in five appellations in the Rhone Valley and is now run by the energetic and brilliant Michel Chapoutier. Since Michel started running the estate, the quality of the winemaking has improved very quickly and the philosophy of winemaking has changed considerably. Michel Chapoutier's achievements caused an instant sensation in the winemaking world and he completely changed the way Chapoutier wines were made and the winemaking process, eventually making wines to rival those made by Marcel Guigal, one of the best winemakers in the Rhone Valley. The vineyards of Château Sapoutier range from the Rhone Valley to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a number of quality vineyards planted with Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne and other major grape varieties. The winery is "mono-varietal" (i.e. making wines from a single variety), for example, all Syrah for the Châteauneuf-du-Rotie wines, all Marsanne for the Hermitage whites and all Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. The wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape are all Grenache. Château Sapoutier has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of its wines, even though each single vineyard produces far more than the 500 cases of fine wine. Since 1989, Château Sapoutier has been using biodynamic farming and winemaking methods with the aim of producing wines that are the purest and closest to the natural terroir. Every decision, every step of the viticultural and winemaking process is designed to add to the terroir, varietal character and vintage identity of the wines. Only wild yeasts are used for fermentation and the wines are made in small oak barrels. The best red and white wines are not clarified or filtered before bottling.
1989(3)1990(2)
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