CHAPOUTIER - TAIN L'ERMITAGE

Chapoutier Ermitage L'Oree Blanc 2006 - R1650

Grape - Marsanne.

The average of these vines (60 to 70 years old) guarantees the high quality of production.

The grapes producing « De lOrée » come from the parcel « Les Murets ». Its soil is made of river alluvions from the glacial era.

Hand harvesting at advanced maturity.

After pressing, the must is cold-racked for 24 hours. About 50 % is vinified in new casks, the rest in vats.  Before bottling, the maturing in casks is checked by frequent tastings. Organoleptic tests are carried out to determine how long it should remain in casks and the bottling date.

Parker 99 - Chapoutier’s line-up of single vineyard white Ermitages, all from mid- to upper slopes of that small appellation, are prodigious wines. I have been following them since he first introduced L’Oree in 1991, and they are sensational to drink in their first 4-5 years, then seem to go into a rather bizarre oxidized stage that can last for 7-8 years, and then they re-emerge as something even more complex. The one thing I never understand is how the color sometimes actually lightens as they age, which makes no sense to me whatsoever, although I suspect there must be some scientific explanation. The 2006 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree exhibits classic peach jam, marmalade, quince, white stone, and crushed rocks, full-bodied intensity, crisp acidity, and amazing freshness, in spite of huge power. I have no idea what the alcohol levels on these wines are, but I suspect they must be in the 15% range, yet the acidities are so high, the balance is struck. My aging curve on all of these single-vineyard wines is pretty much the same, and these are very strong vintages with higher acidity than 2005.

Chapoutier Ermitage L'Oree Blanc 2007

JR 17.5/20 Honeyed colour. Much more reticent nose than the St-Joseph Blanc Les Granits – more mineral and restrained, with Marsanne ‘gummy’ (as in the sort of gum you stick bits of paper together with) texture and flavour. Hint of smoke and lots of rich fruit that already spreads across the palate. Very broad, and quite open for a young Hermitage Blanc.

Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2006 R2100

Grape - Syrah

Located at the top of the hermitage hill, around the chapel, in a place called the Ermite. The vines are 80 years old and are very poor granite soils.

Hand harvesting which takes place at a late date in order to obtain the natural proof of over 13°C.

The harvest which is 100 % destemmed is matured in a cement vat. Maceration lasts from 5 to 6 weeks. The temperature does not exceed 32°C to enable good quality extraction.

After alcoholic and malolactic fermentation the wine is transferred immediately into new casks to be matured from 14 to 18 months. The wine is unfiltered and unfined.

Parker 98-100 : Could the 2006 Ermitage l’Ermite be even better? It is more seamless and perhaps slightly more flamboyant and showy, and that always tends to impress me with a wine this young and concentrated. Dense bluish/purple to the rim, it has an extraordinary purity of fruit, crushed rock intermixed with some spring flowers, graphite, and licorice. This is just an amazing wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2060.

Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2007

JR 19/20: Essence of ‘manly’ Hermitage. Every male dressing room you have ever smelt (I’m not talking rugby clubs here but hair brushes and leather and pomades) distilled into a single liquid. This will surely be a standout classic red Hermitage. Very dry, solid, concentrated and tight on the finish but with wonderfully fine tannins in real abundance.

Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2006 R1950

Grape - Syrah. The age of the vines (65 years in average) guarantees a production of very high quality.

The Pavillon vineyard has a surface area of about 4 ha. Its geological composition is characteristic. The soil is made up of a fine layer of deposits on a granitic ground.

Grapes are harvested when they are just beyond peak maturity. Due to their age, these vines give low yields.

The grapes ferment in open wooden vats after total destemming. From one to two daily treadings ensure a good extraction of the tannins. The temperature of fermentation varies between 20 and 32°C. Maceration lasts 3 or 4 weeks.

Maturing goes off in oak casks (50 % new) during 15-18 months. The wine is regularly drawn of and clarified with no filtering or fining.

Parker 96-100 - Potentially perfect is the 2006 Ermitage Le Pavillon. This is a monumental wine that also reminds me of the 1991. Inky black/purple to the rim, with an extraordinary nose of subtle smoke, melted licorice, creme de cassis, truffle, and graphite, full-bodied, powerful, with elevated tannins, but so sweet and velvety, the acidity gives the wine a freshness and precision as well as transparency. This is amazing stuff! Anticipated maturity: 2012-2045.

JR 18+/20 CS Dark blackish crimson. Mokre evolved, friendlier nose than the Sizeranne. Very round and winning – succulent and well balanced. Certainly classic Hermitage with much suppler, though still sandy, tannins and more fruit than many. Very clean and welcoming.

Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2007

JR 18+/20: Very dark crimson. So intense there is practically no nose at this stage – to begin with anyway. A little looser and fruitier than L’Ermite. Big and just a tad blowsy though it should certainly give pleasure. In spades. Lots of lift. Expanded in the glass. Very dry finish with real energy.

Chapoutier Cote-Rotie Mordoree 2006 R1375

Grape - Syrah. Average age of the vines (more than 60 years old) is a guarantee of exceptional quality.

Chlorite and ferruginous mica-schists, gorre and granite, in loess depression and earth veins. The parcel of land producing this wine is located on the edge of the « Côte Blonde ».

Hand harvesting at peak maturity.

Small game (pheasant, duck) Tender, red meat Dishes in red wine sauces Soft cheeses

The grapes ferment in open wooden vats after total destemming. A treadings ensures a good extraction of the colour and tannins. The temperature of fermentation does not exceed 32°C.

In oak casks (225 liters), of which a third is new. This wine is unfiltered and unfined. Can be kept for up to 20 years and more

Parker 96-98. I might be crawling out on a limb, but I think the 2006 Cote Rotie La Mordoree is the finest example of Chapoutier’s 100% Syrah Cote Rotie since his 1991. Inky purple to the rim without a touch of aggressiveness, the wine flows over the palate in a seamless way, with layers of black fruits, cherries, licorice, graphite, and some roasted meat and tapenade notes. This is a sensational, multi-dimensional Cote Rotie that I suspect will be drinkable in 3-4 years, and evolve beautifully for two decades.

 Chapoutier Cote-Rotie Mordoree 2007

Chapoutier St Joseph Les Granits Rouge 2006 R380

Grape - Syrah. Selection of our oldest Syrah roots in the birthplace of the Saint Joseph appellation.

Very poor and very stony granitic soils.

The grapes are hand-harvested at a very advanced stage of maturity (higher than 12 % vol. of natural potential alcohol).

The grapes are 100 % destemmed. Slow fermentation in small concrete vats. The process of fermentation is long and lasts for more than a month.

100 % in new or very recent casks for 12 to 14 months.

Parker 94-96 The 2006 St.-Joseph Les Granits exhibits an inky bluish/purple color, a stunning nose of incense, and perfumed black fruits with hints of acacia flowers, blackberry, and raspberry. The wine is seamless, opulent, but with the acidity more noticeable than any tannins, yet I am sure they are there. This is a gorgeous wine, one of the great cuvees of the vintage, and perhaps one of the more fairly priced.

Chapoutier St Joseph Les Granits Rouge 2007

JR 16/20 Very deep crimson. Almost purple port colour, in fact. Some might accuse this of being a bit too funky on the nose but I like it. Lively and punchy though certainly not heavy. Silky early drinker. Very dry finish. A little awkward.

Chapoutier St Joseph Le Granits Blanc 2006 R450

Selection of our oldest Marsanne vines on our best Saint-Joseph soil.

Very steep granite slopes in the south of Tournon.

The grapes are hand-harvested once very ripe. The natural degree of alcohol is above 12,5 % vol.

Pressing of whole grapes. Light cold racking for 24 hours. Fermentation of half of the wine in vats and the other half in casks.

Malo-lactic fermentation and ageing take place on lees from 8 to 10 months. Both parts of the wine are assembled before bottling.

Parker 95 - The 2006 St.-Joseph Les Granits blanc again reveals slightly more acidity, but also higher levels of concentration. It is an absolutely amazing wine that would probably outperform many a grand cru white Burgundy if put in a blind tasting – it is that stunning.

Chapoutier St Joseph Le Granits Blanc 2007

JR 16.5/20 Heady, intense nose. Honeysuckle and a fair amount of alcohol. Some vibrant green streak too on the nose. Big and bold on the palate and already rather appealing. Though so big you would have to eat with it. Quite developed already.

Chapoutier, Barbe Rac Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006 R725

Quaternary terrace, with a surface of rolled stones coming from the former bed of the Rhône. The parcel from which this cuvée is produced possesses a complex and varied geological composition, these are the oldest Châteauneuf du Pape vines in existence (about 90 years of age).

The grapes are carefully selected during the harvest. This selection is compulsory and permits the selection of the best grapes.

In vats made of concrete covered with epoxy resin, because grenache is very sensitive to oxidation. The grapes are 100% destemmed before being placed in vats. Fermentation lasts about 3 weeks at a temperature which varies from 30 to 33°C.

Parker 94 - The deep ruby/purple-tinged 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac reveals a rich, sumptuous perfume of root vegetables, blackberries, cassis, melted licorice, incense, and spice. Chapoutier’s single vineyard Chateauneuf du Papes represent two different areas of the appellation, with the Barbe Rac coming from the western corridor, not far from the Plateau of Mont-Redon. Chapoutier has adjusted the manner in which he ages these cuvees, as they are now completely aged in tank. It is incredibly full-bodied for a 2006, with superb concentration as well as excellent length and purity. Drink this beauty over the next 15+ years. Both the Barbe Rac and Croix de Bois are 100% Grenache.

Chapoutier, Barbe Rac Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007

Parker 96-100 Reminiscent of the 1990, the dense ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac is an astonishingly full-bodied, opulent, flamboyant wine displaying an extraordinary bouquet of incense, lavender, kirsch, resin, the seaweed wrappers used in sushi restaurants, and licorice. Chapoutier’s single vineyard Chateauneuf du Papes represent two different areas of the appellation, with the Barbe Rac coming from the western corridor, not far from the Plateau of Mont-Redon. Chapoutier has adjusted the manner in which he ages these cuvees, as they are now completely aged in tank. Made from a minuscule 10 hectoliters per hectare, it reveals great texture, an amazing finish, and riveting overall balance and purity. It should hit its peak in 3-5 years, and last for 20-25. Both the Barbe Rac and Croix de Bois are 100% Grenache.

JR 18.5/20 Even deeper crimson. Meatier, more claret-like than the Croix du Bois 2007. Very intense and serious – a Châteauneuf that almost manages to finish dry! Very well judged tannins, masses of alcohol but overall savoury as well as spicy. More obviously dry fruit (thicker skins) than the Croix du Bois. A massive wine that will repay waiting.

DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR - CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE

Prices all inclusive, landing late 2009

 "Les Champauvins" CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE VILLAGES 2007 - R149/bottle

TERROIR Vineyard bordering on the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The clay-gravel-type soil is also covered with rolled stones.

GRAPE VARIETIES 70 % Grenache, 20 % Syrah, 10 % Mourvèdre

YIELD 38 Hl / hectare

METHOD OF VINIFICATION Traditional, in stainless steel vats. Harvest crushed and destemmed. Fermentation temperature controlled at 30°C. Fifteen-day vatting period with "pigeage".

TASTING Intense, brilliant garnet-red colour. The aromas of underwood and ripe red berries which are present are typical of the terroir. The tannic structure is elegant and smooth. The finish is dominated by slight touches of spices and truffles. A complete wine, rich and fine, thanks to the harmony of all the elements which make it up.

Parker 91 - An outstanding sleeper of the vintage, the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Les Champauvins is an amazingly good effort displaying a dark ruby/purple hue as well as a big, sweet bouquet of black raspberries, kirsch, pepper, garrigue, and earth. Dense, full-bodied, and ripe, it is as good as many producers- Chateauneuf du Papes. It should drink well for 7-8 years or more.

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2007 - R365/bottle

TERROIR Vineyard exposed on slopes and plateaux, on stony-clay soil covered with large rolled stones.

GRAPE VARIETIES 65 % Grenache 25 %Syrah 10 % Mourvèdre

YIELD 30 Hl / hectare

METHOD OF VINIFICATION Harvest is destemmed and crushed.Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C.Vatting period of 18 to 20 days with pigeages.Matured in vats and oak casks.

TASTING An intense rubis colour ; the nose develop aromas of ripe red fruit (such as macerated cherry) and spice box.The palate reveals the presence of tannins, both soft and elegant.

Parker 90-93 The superb 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a deep ruby/purple color followed by notes of cassis, black raspberries, licorice, charcoal, and a hint of camphor. It possesses superb concentration, full-bodied richness, great purity and texture, and a long finish that lasts 35-40 seconds. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years.

DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR "Les Origines" 2007 - R495/bottle

TERROIR Plateaux of red clay covered with large stones.

GRAPE VARIETIES 50 % Grenache 20 % Syrah 30 % Mourvèdre

YIELD 35 Hl / hectare

METHOD OF VINIFICATION Destemming, 21-day vatting period with pigeages. Matured for 18 months in new oak casks.

TASTING Deep and brilliant, purple-red colour. An exciting nose with aromas of black fruit(blackcurrant, cherry), spices and vanilla. This great aromatic complexity is found on the palate: the spices and ripe fruit appear with an elegant woodiness and harmonious tannins. The finish has good aromatic length and introduces a touch of liquorice and peppers.

Parker 93-96 The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines may turn out to be one of this estate-s finest cuvees, although one should not overlook the 2006 Les Origines. A luxury cuvee sold at a reasonable price, the 2007 boasts a dense blue/purple color as well as a sweet perfume of blueberries, charcoal, creme de cassis, graphite, smoked meats, and herbs. Dense, full-bodied, and exceptionally pure, with a multilayered texture, moderate tannin, and a stunning finish, it will benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 20-25.

DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR "Vieilles Vignes" 2007 - R850/bottle

TERROIR Plateaux of red clay covered with large stones.

GRAPE VARIETIES 50 % Grenache 10 %Syrah 40 % Mourvèdre

YIELD 30 Hl / hectare

METHOD OF VINIFICATION Destemming, 21-day vatting period with pigeages. Matured for 18 months in new oak casks.

TASTING Inky purple-red colour. An exciting nose with aromas of black fruit(blackcurrant, cherry), spices and vanilla. Magnificient density, huge, powerfull ; the palate goes well past a minute. An exquisite Châteauneuf du Pape for a long term aging.

Parker 95-97+ - The newest baby, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah. All of these wines are from the estate-s three major holdings in the northern part of the appellation, on the high plateau of Mont Redon and Cabrieres, and in the northeastern sector, near Beaucastel. The 2007 Vieilles Vignes represents the essence of Chateauneuf du Pape. Inky/purple to the rim, with extraordinary full-bodied aromas of roasted porcini, meat juices, blackberries, cassis, smoke, and grilled herbs, it is intense to the point of almost over-extraction, but it has no rough edges. It possesses great purity, an amazing texture, and a massive, full-bodied finish with noticeable tannin. Because of its high percentage of Mourvedre and Syrah, it requires 6-7 years of bottle age, and should keep for 30-35 years.

Please email roland@winecellar.co.za or phone 021 448 4105 to order

Offer valid until Monday 2nd February 2009

Chapoutier 2006s prices are all inclusive, landing April 2009. Chapoutier 2007s prices are in Euro, landing 2010 when landing charges and VAT apply. Domaine Grand Veneur 2007 prices are all inclusive landing late 2009.