Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Ermitage de L'Oree Blanc 2019
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
Showing considerably better than it did the last time I tasted it, the 2019 Ermitage de l'Orée boasts notes of toasted grain and ripe, honeyed peaches. Full-bodied and expansive, it's opulent, richly textured and long, with waves of flavor echoing on the finish. Any bitter notes seem to have been seamlessly incorporated into the wine's impressive mouthfeel.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
I confess to being a bit disappointed by the showing of the 2019 Ermitage de l'Orée, a 100% Marsanne selection from the Les Murets lieu-dit. I know, 94 points is an excellent rating, but the wine seems just a little too marked by bitter orange notes which rein in the potential richness. It should become more expansive and generous on the palate over the years, but for now, this medium to full-bodied version of Hermitage is struggling to fully express the power and warmth of the vintage, despite being labeled at 15% alcohol. Ripe melon, pineapple and hints of tangerine zest round out the flavor profile, lingering broadly on the finish.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Stunning nose of floral honey and brioche with a smoky tension. Enormous concentration of dried stone fruit, but also super-precise on the wide-screen palate. Long finish with an extremely complex texture and very subtle spice and minerality. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.
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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