| Chapoutier |
Bila Haut 'VIT' Roussillon |
2009 |
- |
6
|
R 295.00
|
Wine: Bila Haut 'VIT' Roussillon
65% Grenache from 70 year old vines and 35% Syrah. Chapoutiers top wine from Latour de France meaning 'From the inner Earth' Charges Apply, Landing May 2012
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Bila Haut 'VIT' Roussillon |
2010 |
NT |
24
|
R 285.00
|
Wine: Bila Haut 'VIT' Roussillon
65% Grenache from 70 year old vines and 35% Syrah. Chapoutiers top wine from Latour de France meaning 'From the inner Earth' Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac |
2009 |
RP 96 |
On Request
|
R 550.00
|
Wine: Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac
Even better is the 507-case cuvee of 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac. One of the wines of the vintage, this dark ruby/purple-tinged effort possesses great intensity along with a full-bodied mouthfeel and almost over-the-top levels of licorice-infused kirsch liqueur and raspberries. Spicy, peppery and earthy with lavish glycerin as well as richness, this is an amazing 2009 that is already drinking beautifully given the precociousness of the vintage. It should evolve for 15 years or more. Charges Apply, Landing May 2012
Drinking period: 2011-2026
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois |
2010 |
RP 92-95 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois
The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois displays more pepper, wet stone, licorice, foresty and earthy characteristics accompanied by sweet black currant and black raspberry fruit. Full-bodied and rich, it plays it tighter to the vest than the more open-knit 2009. It should drink well for 15+ years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2026
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Condrieu Coteaux de Chery |
2010 |
RP 95-97 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: Condrieu Coteaux de Chery
One of the greatest Condrieus I have ever tasted (of course, it comes from a top site) is the 2010 Condrieu Coteaux du Chery, which Chapoutier ages in 600-liter demi-muids. Truly great stuff, with loads of peach, apricot, crushed rock, citrus oil and honeysuckle notes, the wine is full-bodied, with great acidity and tremendous aromatics. Quite a stunner. Anticipated maturity: now-2016. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2016
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Cote Rotie La Mordoree |
2009 |
RP 96 |
1
|
R 995.00
|
Wine: Cote Rotie La Mordoree
The 2009 Cote Rotie La Mordoree (471 cases) is potentially the finest La Mordoree made since the monumental 1991 (which is just beginning to hit full maturity at age 20). Spring flower, black olive, smoky barbecued meat, creme de cassis, graphite and black cherry characteristics are all found in this complex, aromatic effort. With an unctuous texture and a full-bodied mouthfeel, this is a gorgeous example of Cote Rotie Syrah that should drink nicely for 20-25+ years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2012
Drinking period: 2017 - 2030
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Cote Rotie La Mordoree |
2010 |
RP 93-95 |
14
|
R 795.00
|
Wine: Cote Rotie La Mordoree
Nearly as good as the 2009, the 2010 Cote Rotie La Mordoree has a dense ruby/purple color along with notes of licorice, roasted herbs, forest floor graphite, black currants and sweet cherries. It is medium to full-bodied, not as intense as the Hermitages, St-Joseph or Crozes, but still impressive. It should drink well for 30+ years, given how slow some of the great vintages made in the 1990s are evolving. There are four separate cuvees of Hermitage, all of them magnificent wines that will have 30 or more years of aging potential, and well in excess of 50 years in the case of L’Ermite and Pavillon. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Crozes Hermitage Les Varonniers |
2010 |
RP 94-96 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: Crozes Hermitage Les Varonniers
One of the finest wines of the appellation is the 2010 Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonnieres. Oodles of tapenade, black truffle, asphalt, blackberry and subtle barbecue smoke are all present in this opaque purple wine, which has great fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel and a huge finish. Drink it over the next 20-30 years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2041
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage Le Greffieux Rouge |
2010 |
RP 95-98 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: Ermitage Le Greffieux Rouge
The dense purple 2010 Ermitage Les Greffieux displays sweet, charcoal-infused creme de cassis fruit, spring flowers, blueberries and blackberries as well as a full-bodied, layered mouthfeel. Intense and pure, it should drink well for 30+ years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2041
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage Le Meal Blanc |
2010 |
RP 96-98 |
3
|
R 830.00
|
Wine: Ermitage Le Meal Blanc
The 2010 Ermitage Le Meal Blanc, which comes from a warmer site, displays more tropical fruit, with loads of red currants intermixed with mango, orange marmalade, and exotic Asian scents. Dense, full-bodied, intense and rich, this is the most voluptuous and opulent of the blockbuster selections parcellaires whites of 2010. It should drink well for 30-35 years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage Le Meal Rouge |
2010 |
RP 96-100 |
12
|
R 975.00
|
Wine: Ermitage Le Meal Rouge
From the warmest site of these three vineyards, the 2010 Ermitage Le Meal has sweet creme de cassis, blackberry, bacon fat and a meaty, bloody steak component to its richness. It has good acidity, but is clearly the most voluptuous and succulent of this quartet of monumental wines from one of the greatest appellations for wine in the world, Hermitage. This wine needs a good decade of cellaring and should continue to evolve for 40-50+ years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2060
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage Le Oree Blanc |
2009 |
RP 100 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: Ermitage Le Oree Blanc
There are 477 cases of the light gold-colored 2009 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree, which I would be happy to insert in a blind tasting against the world’s greatest dry white wines, including Montrachet. The famous gout de petrol is there along with hints of citrus oil, wet steel, crushed rocks, quince, white currants, anise and honeysuckle. Very full, with off-the-charts intensity, this wine was fashioned from yields of 13 hectoliters per hectare (which is financial suicide) from 90 to 100-year old Marsanne vines. The result is an amazingly concentrated white wine that should drink well for 50+ years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2012
Drinking period: 2011-2061
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage Le Oree Blanc |
2010 |
RP 98-100 |
15
|
R 895.00
|
Wine: Ermitage Le Oree Blanc
The 2010 Ermitage Cuvee de L’Oree is a magnificent white Ermitage, and one I have been buying since it was first released. With unbelievable minerality and an extraordinary nose of honeyed brioche, white peaches and apricots, licorice and smoky gun flint, as well as liqueur of rocks, this is a sublime, full-bodied, extraordinarily opulent white, despite what are relatively strong acids and a lower pH than the 2009. Quite amazing, as it usually is, this wine should evolve for 15+ years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2026
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge |
2009 |
RP 100 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge
4 ha, 100% Syrah. This wine comes from lieu-dit Les Bessards. The plot has a specific geology: it is composed of a fine layer of sediment lying on granitic subsoil. The 65-year-old vines are located at an altitude of approximately 130 m on the Hermitage hill, above the ruins of a stone house giving its name to the wine. Yields of 20 hl/ha. A perfect wine, the 2009 Ermitage Le Pavillon (1,093 cases) boasts a black/purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of acacia flowers, blackberries, blueberries, roasted meats, creme de cassis, truffles, graphite, powdered rock and new saddle leather. Extremely dense, noble and pure, this monumental Ermitage is built for 50-100 years of cellaring. Charges Apply, Landing May 2012
Drinking period: 2111.0
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge |
2010 |
RP 98-100 |
6
|
R 1,470.00
|
Wine: Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge
The 2010 Ermitage Le Pavillon has a black purple color to the rim and an extraordinary nose of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, lead pencil shavings, pen ink as well as hints of licorice and truffle. Great texture, amazing richness and off-the-charts extract levels make this a true connoisseur’s wine for those with patience. Wait 10-15 years and drink it over the following 50-100. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2021-2121
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage L'Ermite Blanc |
2010 |
RP 98-100 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: Ermitage L'Ermite Blanc
From the very top of the granite dome of Hermitage, the 2010 Ermitage L’Ermite Blanc is absolutely remarkable. One hundred percent old-vine Marsanne, this wine tastes like a liqueur of crushed rocks with hints of lemon and white peach oils, buttered brioche, wet steel and gun flint. With floral notes as well as such an intense minerality, this thick, unctuously textured wine still has remarkable acidity. It should be drunk over the next 50-75 years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2086
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge |
2009 |
RP 98+ |
7
|
R 1,700.00
|
Wine: Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge
Conservatively, the 2009 Ermitage l’Ermite (702 cases) needs 25-30 years of cellaring. Another monumental effort from Michel Chapoutier, it possesses copious notes of smoky asphalt, black truffles, pen ink, graphite and blackberry liqueur intermixed with hints of flowers and crushed rocks. Extremely full-bodied with abundant sweet tannins, amazing penetration on the palate and a long finish, this historic effort should age effortlessly for 50-100+ years. 3 ha, 100% Syrah. The plot is situated at the top of the Hermitage Hill, around the chapel. The elevated position of the vineyard, over 200 m, allows long ripening at the end of the growing season. The soil of loess provides excellent drainage for rainwater. Vines are over 80 years old and are planted on granitic poor soils. L’Ermite traditionally produces the most elegant and aromatic Ermitage. Another wine that begs for 15-20 years of bottle age is the 2009 Ermitage l’Ermite. Pure powdered rock notes intermixed with cassis, scorched earth, flowers and barbecue smoke are all present in this wine along with magnificent intensity, texture and length. All three of these wines have skyscraper-like textures and amazing purity, richness and depth. It is hard to believe any other producer could eclipse what this trilogy represents in quality, longevity and winemaking statesmanship. One has to admire Michel Chapoutier for producing wines that are not meant for immediate gratification or for turning the heads of consumers right out of the bottle. These wines are meant to help establish his legacy long after most of us have disappeared. Charges Apply, Landing May 2012
Drinking period: 2018 - 2045
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge |
2010 |
RP 98-100 |
6
|
R 1,690.00
|
Wine: Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge
Crushed rock, spring flowers and a liqueur of granite are all present in the inky/purple colored 2010 Ermitage L’Ermite. It is almost a crime trying to describe a wine such as this, since so few people will ever get to taste it in its full prime, which is probably a good 25-30 years away. Super-pure, rich and full-bodied, this is a great example from Michel Chapoutier, certainly up there with the top vintages of this wine to date. It will require unbelievable patience and needs at least a decade or more of cellaring before being consumed. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2021+
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
Hermitage Vin de Paille 375ml |
2010 |
RP 98-100 |
3
|
R 775.00
|
Wine: Hermitage Vin de Paille 375ml
There are two wines readers should keep an eye out for, even though they are very limited in availability (just under 300 cases of each). Both are potentially immortal offerings. The 2009 Ermitage Vin de Paille and 2010 Ermitage Vin de Paille are both made from the l’Ermite lieu-dit. Both possess deep gold colors as well as off-the-chart levels of residual sugar, acidity and concentration. These massive, unctuously textured, phenomenally great sweet dessert wines have incredible precision as well as intensity. Available only in half bottles, these connoisseur’s collectibles are meant to be drunk over the next 50-100 years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2011
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
St Joseph Les Granits Blanc |
2009 |
RP 98 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: St Joseph Les Granits Blanc
2 ha, 100% Marsanne. This wine comes from a small selection of very old Marsanne vines planted on steep granitic slopes in the South of Tournon. The granitic soil also contains stones and gravels.
The selections parcellaires whites tasted include the 2009 St.-Joseph Les Granits Blanc (789 cases), which may be the “best buy” of all these selections parcellaires. This 100% Marsanne cuvee exhibits an amazing honeyed, orange marmalade character intermixed with notions of crushed rocks, spring flowers, quince, and white currants. Full-bodied and unctuously textured yet remarkably fresh and vibrant, it should drink nicely for 15-20 years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2012
Drinking period: 2012 - 2017
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
St Joseph Les Granits Blanc |
2010 |
RP 92-95 |
13
|
R 255.00
|
Wine: St Joseph Les Granits Blanc
2 ha, 100% Marsanne. This wine comes from a small selection of very old Marsanne vines planted on steep granitic slopes in the South of Tournon. The granitic soil also contains stones and gravels. A potential sleeper selection in every great year for Chapoutier, the single-vineyard selection 2010 St.-Joseph Les Granits Blanc comes from the granite hillsides of this appellation, not far from the one-horse village of Mauves. Dense, concentrated quince, nectarine and honeysuckle jump from the glass of this full-bodied wine, which has zesty acidity, stunning purity and a long finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2011-2023
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
St Joseph Les Granits Rouge |
2009 |
RP 93 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: St Joseph Les Granits Rouge
2.5 ha, 100% Syrah. This is a selection of Chapoutier’s oldest Syrah vines planted in the birthplace of the Saint-Joseph appellation. Here the very poor, very stony granite soil (suggested by the name) is vital in restraining excessive vigour that can adversely affect the quality of less well-favoured Saint-Joseph vines. There are 920 cases of the 2009 St.-Joseph Les Granits. Powdered stones, a hint of tobacco leaf and confit of tomato jam are intermixed with camphor, incense, black raspberries and blueberries. This striking wine possesses soft tannins as well as a forward, up-front style. Enjoy it over the next 15+ years. Charges Apply, Landing May 2012
Drinking period: 2015 - 2024
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
| Chapoutier |
St Joseph Les Granits Rouge |
2010 |
RP 91-94 |
-
|
S/O
|
Wine: St Joseph Les Granits Rouge
2.5 ha, 100% Syrah. This is a selection of Chapoutier’s oldest Syrah vines planted in the birthplace of the Saint-Joseph appellation. Here the very poor, very stony granite soil (suggested by the name) is vital in restraining excessive vigour that can adversely affect the quality of less well-favoured Saint-Joseph vines. The appropriately named 2010 St.-Joseph Les Granits has an opaque purple color and gorgeous, dense notes of sweet black cherries with hints of crushed rock, graphite, pen ink and blackberry liqueur. The granite mineral terroir characteristics come through in this wine, which is full and rich. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+. Charges Apply, Landing May 2013
Drinking period: 2014-2030
Producer: Chapoutier
None
|
