Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Cote Rotie La Mordoree 1997
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
This has a fine, slightly herbaceous nose with black pepper, briary, wild hedgerow and a hint of sloes. The palate is medium-bodied, supple with notes of cranberry, maraschino cherry, leather and redcurrants all laced with a dash of black pepper. Cooked meats towards the harmonious finish, which just lacks a little weight and penetration. A very fine Rhone but perhaps lacking a little substance. Drink now. Tasted June 2007.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1997 Cote Rotie La Mordoree is an extremely expressive, open-knit, aromatic, and seductive example. Chapoutier believes it is the finest he has ever made. It is soft, accessible, and easy to understand. The saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by tell-tale aromas of black raspberries, roasted herbs, smoke, and meat. The wine is medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic, with low acidity, superb concentration, and an intense black cherry, camphor-like, olive component. This wine should be drinkable upon release, and last for two decades. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1997 Cote Rotie La Mordoree is an extremely expressive, open-knit, aromatic, and seductive example. Chapoutier believes it is the finest he has ever made. It is soft, accessible, and easy to understand. The saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by tell-tale aromas of black raspberries, roasted herbs, smoke, and meat. The wine is medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic, with low acidity, superb concentration, and an intense black cherry, camphor-like, olive component. This wine should be drinkable upon release, and last for two decades. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900
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)1991(2)1992(1)1995(2)1996(1)
Package Size
