Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2017
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The 2017 Ermitage l'Ermite is equally astounding but a completely different expression of Hermitage. Somehow this combines the reservedness of le Pavillon with the generosity of le Méal, resulting in a wine that I can only describe as perfect. The pristine cassis fruit is remarkably pure, joined by complex notes of crushed stone, salted licorice and the slightest hints of fine-grained oak. It's full-bodied, concentrated and velvety in texture, with oodles of chewy but ripe tannins and a finish that goes on for minutes.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The 2017 Ermitage l'Ermite looks to be another huge success from this very promising vintage. It boasts precise aromas of crushed stone, cassis and baking spices, a full-bodied, creamy textured yet incredibly intense/saturated palate and a plush, velvety, long finish. After writing up the other sélections parcellaires, I found myself at a loss for words on this one.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky violet color. Displays expansive aromas of dark berry preserves, pungent flowers, pipe tobacco and smoky minerals and licorice, cola and succulent herb nuances build in the glass. Broad, alluringly sweet and youthfully chewy in texture, offering intense blackberry, cherry-cola, fruitcake and bitter chocolate flavors and a suave candied violet flourish. Delivers a compelling interplay of power and energy and betrays no rough edges. Gains spiciness with air and finishes youthfully tannic and strikingly long, with resonating floral and mineral notes.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky ruby. Powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit preserves, licorice, olive and potpourri, along with an exotic suggestion of incense. Stains the palate with intense blueberry, cherry, cassis and spicecake flavors. A violet pastille nuance gains strength with aeration. Youthfully solid tannins add shape to an extremely long, mineral-accented finish that shows outstanding clarity and floral thrust.
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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