Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Hermitage Monier De La Sizeranne 2015
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the Hermitage releases, the 2015 Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne might just be the surprise value here that seriously over-delivers. Concentrated, full-bodied, low in acidity and downright unctuous, it offers lots of currants, black raspberry, toasted spice, and cured meat aromas and flavors. It’s no lightweight, entry-level offering and is a seriously good wine.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
When a so-called entry-level wine performs at this level, you know that producer has had a stupendous year. The 2015 Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne is full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with loads of cassis fruit and masses of ripe tannin. To top it off, some meaty, savory notes creep in on the long finish, imparting some intriguing complexity.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky ruby. Assertive, mineral-accented dark berry, cola and violet pastille scents show outstanding purity and spicy lift and pick up a smoky nuance with air. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, offering intense, spice- and smoke-tinged boysenberry, cherry cola and floral flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Finishes sweet, seamless and impressively long, featuring an echo of candied violet and velvety, harmonious tannins that sneak up slowly.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe cherry and cassis, and suggestions of toasty oak and licorice build as the wine opens up. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering appealingly sweet black and blue fruit flavors given spine and lift by gentle acidity. Rich yet nicely energetic in style, finishing with very good clarity, supple tannins and lingering spiciness.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Bright, exotic red cherries and blood oranges with a wealth of flinty, peppery and tarry accents. Strong, mineral core to the palate. Very composed. Plenty of salty plums and blackberries. From organically grown grapes. Drink in 2023.
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.
