Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Cote Rotie La Mordoree 2003
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The finest example of this cuvee since the 1991, the compelling 2003 Cote Rotie La Mordoree was fashioned from yields of 8-9 hectoliters per hectare. Its dense blue/purple color is accompanied by an extraordinary perfume of licorice-imbued blackberry and scorched earth scents, huge body, an amazing texture, and a pure, rich, moderately tannic finish. It requires 8-10 years of bottle age, and should last three decades or more. As I have said so many times over the last 15 years, the top Chapoutier wines are meant for very long term drinking, and are not designed for immediate gratification. Everything Chapoutier is doing, from his bio-dynamically farmed vineyard to tiny yields, extended fermentations, indigenous yeasts, and no fining or filtration, is done to produce the essence of a vineyard and a vintage. His track record since 1989 and 1990 admirably proves that these are indeed remarkable wines made by a young genius who refuses to compromise. Michel Chapoutier has been misunderstood by some of his peers, and there is a lot of jealousy when someone this young is so incredibly talented, but it is an irrefutable fact that these are wines of singular greatness as well as longevity. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The finest Cote Rotie Chapoutier has produced since 1991, the dense purple-hued 2003 Cote Rotie La Mordoree reveals a sumptuous perfume of new saddle leather, barbecued meats, herbs, black raspberries, and creme de cassis. This stunningly concentrated, full-bodied, rich wine takes Cote Rotie to a new quality level. Sadly, there are only 330 cases of this elixir. It can be drunk young or cellared for 15-20+ years.
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.
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