Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Ermitage Les Greffieux 2020
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
While normally the most forward of Chapoutier's selections parcellaires from Hermitage, the full-bodied 2020 Ermitage les Greffieux looks to be showing a bit more structure, while still remaining, silky, fine and elegant. Notes of crushed stone, fresh mint, violets and purple raspberries appear on the nose, while the finish is long and harmonious, with an ample dusting of ripe tannins.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The 2020 Ermitage les Greffieux is dominated by bold, forward fruit. Blackberries, cassis and blueberries flow in waves here, as this parcel has less granite than L'Ermite and Le Pavillon. It's full-bodied but still structured, with fine-grained tannins and a long, silky-textured finish.
Reviewed by: Stuart Pigott
What a sensual Hermitage this is. So ripe and so silky on the rich yet beautifully balanced palate. In spite of the enormous depth this has a certain lightness of touch. Very long, velvety finish. And yes, this also has wonderful black fruit aromas with delicate smoky and peppery nuances. From a vineyard with a Rhone sedimentary soil. 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.
