Learn everything about Chapoutier, Hermitage with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles
Chapoutier Hermitage History, Overview
Chapoutier is one of the oldest names in the Rhone valley. Founded in 1808 by the Calvet family, it was sold to the Chapoutier family in 1855. The Calvet family sold the company to focus on their large, expanding negociant firm in Bordeaux.
Polydore Chapoutier was the first of the Chapoutier family to head the company, and the only head of the firm not to have a name that started with the letter M. That tradition began with the next generation, started by Marius Chapoutier.
Today, Chapoutier is a massive negociant and winery located in the Rhone valley their offices are situated in the small community of Tain Hermitage. Chapoutier is both a negociant and wine maker.
They are active all over the Rhone valley in every major appellation. Chapoutier makes great wine at every price level, from very expensive wines at the top end, to value wines from Cotes du Rhone.
The best wines produced by Chapoutier are their single vineyard wines from Hermitage. They also make top quality Chateauneuf du Pape and two Cote Rotie wines from 5 hectares of vines.
An entry level wine, Becasses and the more expensive La Mordoree. Chapoutier also producers entry level Cotes du Rhone wines that offer some of the best for wine lovers in the marketplace today.
Michel Chapoutier and his brother Marc took over managing Chapoutier in the very late 1980’s. Michel accomplished this by forcing his father from the family business. Those actions did not help the reputation of Michel Chapoutier in the wine world, or with family. He did not have much time to prove himself.
When Michel Chapoutier took over the company, they were producing on average close to 550,000 bottles of wine. By 2012, that number grew to more than 7,000,000 bottles per year! Much of that growth was due to purchasing as much vineyad land as possible.
Today, Chapoutier owns close to 25% of the entire appellation. Prior to being headed by Michel Chapoutier, Domaine Chapoutier was known for producing lighter styled wines.
That changed in 1989 with their Hermitage wines, especially the Chapoutier Le Pavillon Hermitage. The following year, they turned around their Chateauneuf du Pape. The year after that, their Cote Rote property Mordoree was at the top of their game as well.
A large part of the reason for their success is due to the decisions made by the young, brash, Michel Chapoutier. He became the first wine maker in Hermitage to focus on producing small batches of wines made from specific sites.
Michel Chapoutier lowered the yields, aged his wine in up to 100% new, French oak barrels and picked fruit when it was at full levels of ripeness.
He also moved to a bio-dynamic farming approach. Today, these techniques are considered common place. But in 1989, they were well outside the mainstream in the Rhone Valley.
In 1995, Chapoutier made changes in their vineyard techniques and on the label. At that time, Chapoutier insisted all their labels contain braille transcription’s as well as English printing.
That same year saw an even bigger change when their northern Rhone and southern Rhone vineyards became 100% bio-dynamically farmed. Since that point in time, there was no looking back for the estate or their wines.
Chapoutier Hermitage Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking
In the Hermitage appellation, they own 26 hectares of vines in some of the best terroir in the region.
They also purchased close to 5.5 hectares of vines from other growers. The most important and collectible Chapoutier Hermitage wines come from specific plots in Hermitage, Le Pavillon, Le Meal, L’Ermite and most recently, Les Greffieux, which made its debut in 2001.
All the single vineyard red Chapoutier Hermitage wines are produced from grapes that have been 100% destemmed. The berries receive 4-6 week macerations in concrete vats. Vinification takes place in open top fermenters.
The wines are aged in 40-50% new, French oak barrels. The wines are never fined or filtered. Yields are purposely low at Chapoutier. This aids in the concentration of the wine. To give you an idea, the yields can be as low as 15 hectoliters per hectare. Michel Chapoutier uses biodynamic farming techniques for all his vineyards. properties.
Chapoutier Le Pavillon made its debut as a new wine in 1989. Prior vintages were produced from much younger vines from a blend of different vineyards. This 100% Syrah wine comes from old vines, some of which are approaching 100 years of age.
Chapoutier Le Pavillon is produced from a terroir of steep granite soils placed on the hillsides of Les Bessards. Chapoutier Le Pavillon with its annual production of close to 7,000 bottles per vintage is the largest production of single vineyard Hermitage wines from Chapoutier.
This should give you an idea of how little wine is made from these micro productions, year after year.
In total, Chapoutier produces 6 red wines and 3 white wines from Hermitage.
Chapoutier Le Meal, which had its first vintage in 1996 is produced from 100% old vine Syrah planted in the 1940’s. The oldest vines are closer to 90 years of age. Le Meal is the warmest terroir in the Hermitage appellation, which is a major factor in the character and ripeness of Chapoutier Le Meal.
The vineyard is on a slope with a sun-lit, southern exposure that is situated next to Bessards and not from Greffieux and the l’Ermite lieu-dits. The elevation is about 240 meters above sea level on as you know, a steep hillside.
If you are ever in the city of Tain Hermitage, you can see the Le Meal vineyard from several vantage points in the city.
The terroir is rocks, stones, granite, clay and limestone soils to the west and you find more granite with limestone, smaller pebbles and even clay to the eastern part of the vineyard. Close to 5,000 bottles are produced on average each vintage.
Chapoutier L’Ermite made its debut in 1996. The wine is produced from old vines. Many of these vines are now more than 100 years old. Chapoutier L’Ermite is produced from some of the best terroir in the entire Hermitage appellation, with its steep hillsides and granite soils.
The vineyards are located on the top of the famous hill of Hermitage, next to the chapel. On average, 5,000 bottles are produced each vintage.
Chapoutier Les Greffieux is youngest single vineyard wine from Chapoutier. The first vintage was 2001. Many of the oldest vines used to produce the wine were planted at the close of World War 2. Production is close to 3,000 bottles per year.
The best vintages of Chapoutier Hermitage are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1991, 1998, 1995, 1991, 1990 and 1989. Older vintages are best avoided.
Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc wines
Chapoutier also produces three, small production single vineyard white Hermitage wines from old vine Marsanne grapes. These wines are rich, thick, dense and oily. They are an acquired taste the require several years of aging.
Le Meal, 400 cases, L’Ermite, 150 cases and L’Oree with 600 cases. Chante Alouette is the introductory Hermitage blanc from Chapoutier.
To produce the Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc wines,vinification takes place in a combination of stainless steel vats and French oak casks. The wines are then aged in demi-muids for 10-12 months before bottling.
While the single vineyard wines of Chapoutier are very expensive, Sizeranne and Mure de Larnage, (produced from young vines) continue to maintain consumer friendly prices.
Both those wines can be enjoyed at a much younger age than the single vineyard wines. Even the Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone are tasty and they sell for under $15!
Stylistically, the single vineyard, red Chapoutier Hermitage wines are rich, full bodied, concentrated, deep wines with distinct aromas of minerality, spice and blackberry.
As Chapoutier strives to achieve phenolic ripeness, in the best years, the wine feels round, polished and plush. The wines demand a lot time in the cellar to show their best. 15-20 years of bottle age allows these wines to develop and display their full potential.
When to Drink Chapoutier Hermitage, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chapoutier single vineyard Hermitage wines are difficult to taste young. They are incredibly tannic and concentrated. If you are going to taste these wines before they reach 12 years of age, they demand 4-6 hours of decanting. The non-single vineyard wines need at least 2 hours to soften and open their perfume.
Older vintages of the single vineyard wines, (20-25 years of age) might need 2-3 hours decanting, to open the wine and remove the sediment.
Chapoutier single vineyard wines are better with 20-30 years of cellaring and should be best between 25-60 years of age.
Serving Chapoutier Hermitage with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Chapoutier Hermitage is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.
Chapoutier Hermitage is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Chapoutier Hermitage is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.
The white wine of Chapoutier Hermitage is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.
Chapoutier Vin de Paille
A small amount of dessert wine, Vin de Paille is produced from grapes dried on straw mats. The wine is only produced in half bottles. Chapoutier is also active in other Northern Rhone regions such as: Cote Rotie, Crozes Hermitage, St. Joseph, Cornas, St. Peray and Condrieu.
2003 remains the reference point for Chapoutier Hermitage wines, although, 2009, 2010 and 2015 are giving that vintage a run for the money. The single vineyard Hermitage wines of Chapoutier are rich, ripe, pure, opulent, fleshy wines of uncommon depth and intensity that require at least 2 decades of bottle age time in the cellar before they are ready to drink.
Regardless of what vintage actually turns out to be the best, it’s going to be fun comparing all those wines over the next few decades. In 2014, Michel Chapoutier was named The Wine Personality of the Year the two most important wine critics from France, Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve.
M. Chapoutier Wine Tasting Notes
90 Vintages 530,572 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2020
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Opulent, lush, round, concentrated, and loaded with deep, dark, peppery red berries, kirsch, flowers, and herbs, with a long, supple, elegant finish to seal the deal. Drink from 2024-2040. 1,549 Views Tasted Mar 10, 2024 |
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2020
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Elegant, forward, vivacious, and floral, the wine instantly focuses you on its wealth of spicy, kirsch, black raspberry, pepper, and herbs. There is depth, concentration, and a long supple, polished finish that ends with another layer of sweet, ripe, kirsch. Drink from 2024-2038. 1,683 Views Tasted Mar 10, 2024 |
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2020
M. Chapoutier Les Granits (St. Joseph)
I like the crushed rock essence that you find along with all the polished, ripe elegant, silky, sweet, ripe, spicy, concentrated, red fruits and touches of black pepper in the endnote. Drink from 2023-2037 2,134 Views Tasted Oct 4, 2022 |
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2020
M. Chapoutier La Bernardine (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The entry level Chateauneuf du Pape from Chapoutier is medium bodied, fresh, sweet and creamy with ripe, spicy, red fruits, a touch of spice and herbs and a nice vibrancy in the finish. The wine is made from a Grenache dominated blend with some Syrah. Drink from 2022-2030. 1,609 Views Tasted Jan 27, 2023 |
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2019
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Vibrant, rich, lush and silky, this elegant, concentrated, supple wine serves up seemingly endless waves of sweet, ripe, spicy kirsch, black raspberries and cherries with a floral accent. This is the top Southern Rhone wine from Chapoutier. Produced from 100% old vine Grenache, the wine should drink well young, yet age for 15 or more years with ease. Drink from 2024 - 2038 2,837 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
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2019
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Full-bodied, elegant, rich and forward the wine is silky, fresh and pure with layers of sweet, ripe kirsch, cherries, flowers and a peppery, vibrant finish. You only need to give it just a few years to come around before it begins to show its stuff. Drink from 2024 - 2037 2,371 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
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2019
M. Chapoutier Pie VI (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Produced from a blend of Grenache with a big splash of Syrah, the wine is deep, dark, rich, showy and packed with loads of ripe, sweet, luscious, dark, red fruits, peppery herbs, thyme, smoke and cocoa which all come together in the almost opulently textured finish. Drink from 2023 - 2034 2,397 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
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2019
M. Chapoutier Les Granits (St. Joseph)
Full-bodied, concentrated, ripe, crunchy, and loaded with salty, oceanic nuances that add to the dark red fruits, smoke, espresso, and spices. Drink from 2026-2039. 2,365 Views Tasted Oct 4, 2022 |
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2019
M. Chapoutier Coteau de Chéry (Condrieu)
Fleshy, ripe, sweet, oily white peaches, melon, citrus, yellow tropical fruits, and stones are what you find here. The wine is rich, sweet, vibrant, fresh, and fully ready to go. Drink from 2022-2026. 1,313 Views Tasted Sep 26, 2022 |
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2019
M. Chapoutier Blanc La Bernardine (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Crushed rock, spice, yellow citrus and floral notes crowd for attention in the nose. On the palate, the wine is forward, fresh and fruity with silky textures and a crisp, lush, juicy finish. Drink from 2022 - 2030 1,348 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The purity in the old vine Grenache really stands out. It takes no effort to dig into the sweet, juicy, ripe black raspberries and cherries. Elegantly textured, the wine is rich, full, fleshy and refined, leaving you with layers of, sweet, juicy, red berries that linger. This will drink well young and it will age for years. 2,311 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2020 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Elegant, sweet and fresh, the wine is vibrant, floral, pure and clean with fabulous balance and lift on the palate leaving you with loads of sweet, red fruits in the finish. The wine is made using 100% old vine Grenache. 1,893 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2020 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier Les Granilites (St. Joseph)
The minerality cuts right through the ripe, fresh, sweet red berries like a knife with its salty essence. Full-bodied, crisp, spicy, rich and character driven, give this at least 5 years before pulling a cork. 1,402 Views Tasted Feb 19, 2021 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier Temenos (Cornas)
Dark in color, the nose comes alive with espresso, smoke, crushed rock, black cherry and truffle scents. Full-bodied, powerful and intense, with layers of dark cherries, plums, a wall of tannin and a palate of crushed stones, hold off on this for 6-8 years and this will be just great to imbibe. 1,754 Views Tasted Feb 23, 2021 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers (Crozes-Hermitage)
Spicy red fruits, cracked black pepper, flowers and herbs create the nose. The wine is soft, bright, crisp, fresh and juicy with a bright, energetic, red pit fruit finish with touches of espresso and bitter cocoa in the end notes. This requires at least 5-7 years in the cellar before it fills out and comes together.. 2,112 Views Tasted Feb 22, 2021 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier Pie VI (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Lusciously textured, rich and fruity, this is delicious right out of the gate. The ripe cherries and plums are accompanied by a touch of smoke, thyme and garrigue. This is a rich, full wine that is good now and promises to be even better with just a bit of aging. 1,425 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2020 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier La Sizeranne (Hermitage)
Flowers, smoke, licorice, dark red fruits, espresso bean, herbs, pepper and spice fill your nose. Big, juicy, full-bodied, rich and balanced, the wine is soft, almost lush and really leaves a beautiful impression on your palate and in the finish. 3,108 Views Tasted Feb 22, 2021 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier Les Arenes (Cornas)
Medium-bodied, tart, fresh and crisp, the piquant red berries are as lively as they are tannic and bright. The finish is quite stony. This is not a fun wine to enjoy young. So age it for at least 5-8 years. 1,603 Views Tasted Feb 23, 2021 |
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2018
M. Chapoutier Les Bécasses (Côte-Rôtie)
Medium-bodied, soft, silky and fresh, the wine is forward and easy to like. Though I like the fruit, this is not very concentrated and will be best over the next 8-10 years. 2,409 Views Tasted Feb 23, 2021 |
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2017
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The top of the line Southern Rhone wine from Chapoutier blasts off with pepper, kirsch, herbs and earth. Sweet, soft and polished, with an elegantly texture in the cherry filled finish, this will drink well young. 3,420 Views Tasted Sep 20, 2019 |
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2017
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Forward, soft and approachable, the fruit is ripe, silky and sweet. The kirsch is peppery, round and lush. Opulently textured and needing time to show its all, give it a few years to come around. 2,847 Views Tasted Sep 20, 2019 |
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2017
M. Chapoutier Pie VI (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The debut vintage for this new wine comes from a blend of 65% old vine Grenache and 35% Syrah. Deep in color, the wine exudes black cherries, kirsch, herbs, black licorice and dark cocoa. There is good weight, lots of fleshy density, richness and round tannins. Give this a few years to develop in the cellar. 3,405 Views Tasted Dec 22, 2019 |
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2016
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The top of the line Southern Rhone wine from Chapoutier shows layers of refined, elegant, silky, pure red fruits. The freshness, purity and length found here, with all its ripe, si;ky textured kirsch is a turn on. I can attest personally to the ageability of this wine, so give it time as it can age for up to 3 decades! The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache. 3,887 Views Tasted Sep 18, 2018 |
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2016
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Peppery, with loads of thyme, garrigue, kirsch and black raspberry, the wine is fresh, pure and silky with a luscious, velvety textured, spicy, red, fruit filled finish. The wine is made using 100% Grenache grapes. 2,787 Views Tasted Sep 18, 2018 |
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2016
M. Chapoutier (Gigondas)
Dark in color, here the grapes are always 100% destemmed. Made from a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsaut, the wine is spicy, fresh and bright with earthy, crisp berries, and an overtone of kirsch with a hint of smoke in the finish and on the nose. There is a round, luscious character to the wine that carries through to the dark cherry, thyme and olive finish. 2,482 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
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2016
M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut L'Esquerda (Côtes du Roussillon Villages)
It is difficult to believe you can buy wine this good, for such little money. But this delivers the goods for about $22. Dark in color, the earthy, smoky, jammy strawberry, pepper, flint, plum and garrigue are open with pop and pour. Supple, plush and generous, the sweet, fruity, herbal finish tastes and feels great. Drink it before it reaches 5-7 years of age and enjoy it for its easy drinking pleasure. 3,723 Views Tasted Feb 19, 2019 |
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2016
M. Chapoutier La Bernardine (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The entry level Chateauneuf from Chapoutier is medium bodied, open and forward, with loads of ripe, spicy, sweet, juicy, red fruits, pepper and vibrancy. This is perfect for early drinking Grenache. The wine is made from a Grenache dominated blend with some Syrah. 2,830 Views Tasted Sep 18, 2018 |
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2015
M. Chapoutier La Mordorée (Côte-Rôtie)
This is so freakin' sexy! The texture is off the hook with its opulence. The wine just glides across your palate like pure, exotic silk. Yes, there is an oaky component that needs to integrate, but there is so much fruit, and the palate feel is surreal you barely notice it. A decade in the cellar is going to bring everything together here. 3,915 Views Tasted Feb 9, 2019 |
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2015
M. Chapoutier Nève (Côte-Rôtie)
Lusciously textured, dark red fruits, sensuous, silky tannins, and smoky, floral accents with an exotic palate presence is what you will find here. The wine is full bodied, deep, long, rich, pure and most importantly, it really grabs you. And keeps you! This is too good to spit, especially since I have not tasted this wine before. 1,417 Views Tasted Feb 9, 2019 |
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2015
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Elegant, fresh and silky, with lush, sweet fruits, the kirsch has this outstanding purity to the cherry oriented fruit. The wine smells, feels and tastes of spicy, peppery, fresh kirsch from start to finish. Produced from 100% old vine Grenache, the wine has the backbone to age and develop quite well. This is just a fabulous style of wine. 4,786 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
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2015
M. Chapoutier Quatuor (Côte-Rôtie)
This is my first time tasting this stunning cuvee. Oak, smoke and pepper might be out in front, but its the sexy, silky tannins, the purity of the red fruits and the seamless entry that will keep you coming back for more of the decadent Cote Rotie. Perhaps this will increase in score as the wine ages. 2,218 Views Tasted Feb 9, 2019 |
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2015
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The thyme and Provencal herbs stick out here. That bushel of herbs is quickly followed by luscious, silky, sweet, ripe, peppery red fruits, finishing with a velvet textured layer of more red fruits. The wine is made using 100% Grenache grapes. 3,466 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
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2015
M. Chapoutier Les Bécasses (Côte-Rôtie)
Elegant, refined, supple and sexy, this forward charmer serves up everything you need in a Cote Rotie, and it drinks well young too! 1,811 Views Tasted Feb 9, 2019 |
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2015
M. Chapoutier La Bernardine (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The entry level Chateauneuf from Chapoutier offers a medium bodied, forward, sweet, cherry profile. Focused on its fruits ad freshness, over additional nuances, there is still enough peppery goodness with a dose of marjoram in the finish to keep things interesting. 2,369 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
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2014
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
There is a good purity of fruit here, with soft, silky tannins and freshness. This 100% Grenache based wine is produced in an elegant, fresh, forward, sensuous, kirsch dominated style. Drink this young while waiting for the 2015 to come around. 3,800 Views Tasted Jun 24, 2016 |
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2014
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Fresh, sweet, soft and spicy, with an elegant charm to all the spicy red fruits. The wine is medium bodied, and polished with a finish filled with peppery, kirsch fruits. 2,621 Views Tasted Jun 24, 2016 |
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2013
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Earthy, with a smoky, thyme and cherry note that stands out, the wine is silky, soft and polished with freshness and sweetness to the fruit. The wine is made with 100% old vine Grenache. 4,262 Views Tasted Sep 7, 2015 |
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2013
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Soft and spicy, with polished textures, medium body and sweet, red fruits, this should be drinkable on release. 3,176 Views Tasted Sep 7, 2015 |
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2013
M. Chapoutier La Bernardine (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, red fruits, spice and kirsch are easy to find in this forward styled wine of pleasure. 4,761 Views Tasted Sep 7, 2015 |
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2012
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite (Hermitage)
This feels like an entire magnum of wine was somehow, crammed into a single bottle. Inky in color, this is so dense, it fills your mouth, coats your palate, staining your teeth and palate with a massive wall of fruit, tannin and crushed stones. There is a fabulous purity to the fruit and a lushness to the texture that lets you know, this wine means business. 2-3 decades are needed for this to really come around. But it will get there. However, unless you're young, you might be laying this down for your kids. 5,002 Views Tasted Oct 3, 2018 |
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2012
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Full-bodied, dense, powerful, tannic and packed to the gills with waves of ripe, forceful layers of cassis, blackberries, crushed rocks, licorice, smoke, thyme, espresso and pepper, this will demand at least 2 decades of aging before it begins offering its peak experience. 2,886 Views Tasted Oct 3, 2018 |
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2011
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Pure, sweet, vibrant and silky, the supple textured wine delivers a lot of polished ripe, lush fruit in the finish. Produced from 100% old vine Grenache, the wine reached 14.5% ABV. 3,063 Views Tasted Aug 26, 2014 |
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2011
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Anise and fresh cherries on the nose lead you to a medium bodied, forward, fresh, elegant kirsch filled wine from 100% Grenache that is ready for drinking today. 2,863 Views Tasted Aug 26, 2014 |
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2011
M. Chapoutier La Bernardine (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Straight forward, open, medium bodied, pleasant, focused on its cherry core, but lacking in complexity. 1,764 Views Tasted Aug 19, 2014 |
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2010
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Inky, black on color, with a sense of richness, density and raw material, that makes it seem like you can eat or drink this. Because of the perfect level of ripeness, the wine has both sweetness and lift, length and vibrancy. But patience is the name of the game here. Having recently tasted 89, 90 & 91, which are are still young, this requites at least 20 or or more years to come around. 4,674 Views Tasted Jan 12, 2017 |
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2010
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Filled with spicy berries, kirsch liqueur, lush, flamboyant black cherries and a round, polished, sweet finish. This stylish wine has a great track record for aging. 5,241 Views Tasted May 31, 2013 |
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2010
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Jammy, ripe and over ripe sweet fruits are in abundance. Medium bodied, elegant and polished, this poised wine is already drinking well. 3,823 Views Tasted May 31, 2013 |
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2009
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite (Hermitage)
Massive, powerful, concentrated, intense, frightfully tannic and still young. Yet, once you dig your way through its youth, the wine screams to get noticed. The textures are like molten syrah that oozes all over your palate, teeth and gums, staining everything in its path. Extreme patience is required here. Based on previous vintages, this should require, if not demand another 20-25 more years before it sheds its youth, and morphs into the mature stage of life. 5,246 Views Tasted Nov 30, 2017 |
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2009
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Inky, black with purple in color, this massive, concentrated, dense, thick, tannic wine is as you would expect, young and offering only promise of what is to come at this stage. The licorice, espresso, blackberry liqueur and smoke filled nose is surpassed by the intense, mouth coating waves of dense fruit and ripe tannins. Based on recent tastings of older vintages, this will demand at least 20 more years in the cellar before it really starts to open up. 6,282 Views Tasted Jul 29, 2015 |
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2009
M. Chapoutier Crozes-Ermitage Les Varonniers (Crozes-Hermitage)
Quite modern, with its espresso, smoke, licorice and black raspberry and jam filled perfume. Rich, round, ripe, forward and already fun to drink, with good levels of concentration and length, this is quite a nice value wine from the Northern Rhone. 4,350 Views Tasted Jun 12, 2013 |
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2008
M. Chapoutier La Mordorée (Côte-Rôtie)
Elegant, refined and fresh, with soft, polished tannins, ripe, red fruits, spice and earthy accents, the floral character really comes through in the nose. On the palate, the blend of fresh and fruit charms you. The wine is just now entering its drinking window. 2,214 Views Tasted Nov 12, 2017 |
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2007
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
What lush, sexy pleasure machine this is! With an ocean of ripe, very ripe and over cherries, the wine is complicated by black raspberry jam, earth, pepper and herbs. Thick, rich, opulent and intense, with a beautiful sense of purity, this is Southern Rhone, Chateauneuf hedonism at its best. 3,879 Views Tasted Feb 11, 2013 |
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2005
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The wine pops with an intense nose of kirsch, garrigue, pepper, strawberry jam and spice. Silky, soft and polished, this stylish, sweet, cherry filled wine is already drinking well. 4,138 Views Tasted May 19, 2013 |
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2005
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite (Hermitage)
Bright, lifted, stony, fresh and vibrant, with a peppery red fruit profile, texturally, the wine is fine. It is concentrated, clean and youthful. At least another decade or more of cellaring is warranted. 4,200 Views Tasted Oct 20, 2020 |
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2003
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite (Hermitage)
Black raspberry puree, wet forest floor, stone, floral notes and fresh herbs permeate the aromatics. Intense minerality, sweet, ripe black cherries, lush, dense, powerful and tannic. Tthe fruit shows a beautiful sense of purity. The tannins are ripe. You’ll find waves of each as the wine fills your palate. Thick, rich, amazingly concentrated and intense. The wine builds and expands with each taste. 7,007 Views Tasted Oct 24, 2013Inky in color, this wine is incredibly rich, deep and concentrated with layer after layer of plush, velvety fruits. Due to its inviting, mineral driven, luxurious, hedonistic style, with a few hours of air, you can drink this stunning Hermitage now. But I'm waiting on mine for 5-10 years. 4,913 Views Tasted Dec 19, 2012 |
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2003
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Inky in color, espresso bean, roasted, jammy dark berries and black cherry liqueur notes create the perfume. The wine is incredibly dense, yet balanced, rich and packed with flavor. There is a very ripe and over ripe, thick jammy component that some tasters are not going to like as much as others. Tannic, young and full bodied, this needs another decade or two, for the oak to integrate, the jam to dissipate and for the complexities to emerge. 5,710 Views Tasted Oct 23, 2013This Hermitage literally oozes from the bottle into your glass. This is so rich, dense and concentrated with fruit, it has to be tasted to believe! The fruit is spectacularly ripe, rich and decadent. The wine, at least at this stage has a beautiful profile with a strong black and blue fruit accent. When this wine matures, look out! By the way, the bottles in 03 have a new, more elegant and sophisticated label. The braille is gone. 5,884 Views Tasted Jun 25, 2006 |
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2003
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal (Hermitage)
Spicy, blackberry liqueur, cedar chest and olive tapenade notes combine with intense flavors, crushed stone and a wall of tannin. This will need at least 10, and probably closer to 15 more years to come together. There is a regal quality to the fruit and tannins that is sublime. But wine will require patience. 2,903 Views Tasted Oct 23, 2013 |
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2003
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Chapoutier Barbe Rac remains of my favorite go to Chateauneuf du Pape wines. It is remarkably consistent and 2003 does not break that chain of consistency. From vines that are over 100 years of age. this 100% Grenache is loaded with sweet, ripe fresh kirsch,black cherry liqueur, earth, pepper, herbs and spicy, jammy black raspberries. Opulent and full bodied, this intense wine is ready to drink. 2,006 Views Tasted Feb 26, 2012 |
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2003
M. Chapoutier La Mordorée (Côte-Rôtie)
Smoke, blackberry, blueberry, charcoal and earthy aromas were easy to spot. Full bodied, plush and round in texture, the wine feels good on the palate. Perhaps it's too young and the oak has not become fully integrated into the wine yet. The finish showed a bit to much oak and left a minor drying sensation. I would have liked a touch more freshness in the mouth. While this was a good wine, that was clearly well made, it lacked excitement. 3,313 Views Tasted Jan 12, 2012 |
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2003
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée (Hermitage)
As interesting as these are to taste, I am obviously not their market as I never understand them. Golden yellow in color, toast, stone, honeysuckle, apricot, mango, peach and petrol scents create the aromatic profile. The wine is thick, sweet, fat and dense, with an odd, or is that unique oxidized quality. 4,020 Views Tasted Jun 7, 2013 |
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2001
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Most of my friends focus on the Hermitage from Chapoutier, glossing over their Chateauneuf du Pape's. Big mistake. This luscious, silky, fresh, clean, pure expression of kirsch, garrigue and wild black raspberries perfectly balances its level of concentration, freshness and ripe, pure red fruits. While there is weight, you also find freshness and purity. The wine is clearly hitting its strides today. 4,267 Views Tasted Jan 14, 2020This is all about the pure, sweet, perfectly ripe, cherries, raspberries and wild strawberries, with their freshness, elegant textures and earthy, spice, pepper, brown sugar and dark cherry liqueur filled characteristics. Silky in texture, medium bodied and a treat in your glass, this is drinking perfectly today. I'm not sure why this wine does not get more attention, it's a very nice style of Chateauneuf du Pape. 3,567 Views Tasted Aug 3, 2016 |
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2001
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite (Hermitage)
Dark in color, youthful, intense and rich, this concentrated wine is tannic, yet the tannins are refined. The earthy, mineral driven, fresh, ripe, black and dark red fruits, licorice and smoky notes, coupled with the concentrated, deep of fruit are starting to show with decanting. However, another 5 years will add more softness and complexity to the wine. 4,005 Views Tasted Nov 29, 2014 |
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2000
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The last bottle from a full case, and each has been a beauty. There is so much elegance here, and the sweet, red cherries offer intensity and purity. Silky in texture, with garrigue, licorice earth and Christmas spice, every sniff, sip and swallow is a treat. I am certain this will last another 5-8-10 years, but this is not a wine to hold. If you have a bottle hanging around, pop a cork. You'll be happy you did. 4,355 Views Tasted Oct 20, 201711 down and 1 more to go. This is fully mature, but it feels like it should its black cherry, spice, peppery, earth and fig character for at least another 5-7 years. Round, soft, and almost plush, the sweet, black cherry and kirsch in the finish sticks with you. 3,575 Views Tasted Dec 24, 2016Expressing deep spicy kirsch, black cherry, spice, pepper and earthy aromas, this luscious wine with its round textures and depth of flavor finishes with layers of supple spicy, black and red cherries with fresh strawberry jam. This sexy style of Chateauneuf du Pape is drinking perfectly today. 4,147 Views Tasted Mar 25, 2011 |
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2000
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Surprisingly charming at a young age for Chapoutier. Vanilla, licorice, fresh cherries and black raspberry notes, tannins that had clearly softened and a fruit filled finish placed everything right where they were supposed to be. Still young, but fun to drink at this early stage. 5,859 Views Tasted May 27, 2014 |
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2000
M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Concentrated, lush and lusty, this full bodied wine is filled with ripe cherry, strawberry and pepper. It's ready to drink. 3,805 Views Tasted Jun 1, 2006 |
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1999
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
As this creeps closer to its 20th birthday, the wine has added a lot of depth, volume and complexity. The nose moves from earthy, smoky fruit to crushed rock and stone with a few hours of air. Concentrated, deep and long, the fruit is fresh and vibrant, cutting a nice line on your palate, with its balance between density, fruit and acidity. Having had older Chapoutier Pavillon vintages, 5-10 more years will make this even better! 3,843 Views Tasted Oct 18, 2017 |
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1999
M. Chapoutier La Mordorée (Côte-Rôtie)
Coffee bean, plum liqueur, smoke, boysenberry and spice open to a round, fat, lush, modern style of Cote Rotie that finishes with oak, licorice and spicy black cherries. 3,747 Views Tasted May 17, 2012With a nose filled with bacon fat, pepper, kirsch, flowers and fresh herbs, this round, ripe, fresh wine felt great as it slid over your palate with its layers of sweet, silky red fruit. This is drinking great today and its only going to get better with a few more years. 3,909 Views Tasted Feb 2, 2011This wine showed black and blue fruit, bacon fat and mild hints of smoke and chocolate. Richly textured, this plush wine finishes with black cherry and licorice flavors. Still young, this will provide pleasure for several years, but I am not sure how much more complexity it is going to develop. 4,059 Views Tasted Aug 17, 2010This Cote Rotie offers smoky, black cherry liqueur aromatics. Rich, soft and opulent on the palate, the wine finishes with chocolate covered cherries. This wine would have scored higher if the perfume was more complex and the finish lingered for a while longer. This is a very good wine, but it is not a Cote Rotie you need to purchase. 4,073 Views Tasted Jan 8, 2010The color of black, shiny raspberries. Blackberry, raspberry liqueur, pepper, bacon fat and floral scents flow from the glass. Huge, full-bodied, dense, chewy texture. Mouth drying tannins. Layers of black fruit with cherry kirsch accents overcome your palate. The finish lasts at least :40 seconds. Infanticide to drink at this stage. Try again in 5-10 years. 95 Pts 4,028 Views Tasted Oct 7, 2004 |
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1999
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal (Hermitage)
Dense, thick, rich and very concentrated. Dark cherry, spice, vanilla, blackberry and herbs make for an intoxicating perfume. Elegant textures and a long silky, dark fruit finsh are a treat. Structured and tannic, this will only get better after a 10 year nap. 3,014 Views Tasted Nov 14, 2004 |
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1999
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc Le Méal (Hermitage)
Deep, dark, yellow, orange in color, the wine tastes and feels like it's still coming out of a long slumber. Silky, rich and fresh, with apricot, petrol and floral aromas, complicated by honeysuckle accents, perhaps, more cellaring will allow the wine to open more, as this bottle, took a while at the table to unfurl. 3,495 Views Tasted Feb 11, 2017 |
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1998
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite (Hermitage)
With 2 hours of double decanting under its belt, everything was in play. The wine is thick, rich, plush and polished, with layers of sweet, perfectly ripe dark berries, licorice, stone and earthy notes. The wine is long and fresh. The wine was even better with another hour or two in the glass. 3,799 Views Tasted Mar 9, 2015 |
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1998
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Last bottle from my case. All good things have to come to an end sooner or later. Luscious textures, low in acidity, with a kirsch liqueur, herb, licorice and fig nose, the fruit was showing riper flavors than I recall from earlier bottles. The texture really add much more silk. At close to 20, if you're sitting on a lot of this wine, I'd pop your remaining bottles over the next few years. 2,958 Views Tasted Nov 2, 2016In the perfect spot, with silky, soft, lush textures, ripe, fresh strawberries, cherry, kirsch and spice, this elegant Chateauneuf du Pape does not need more time as it's ready to go. 3,125 Views Tasted Dec 30, 2013In the nose, fresh, ripe sweet cherries, flowers, kirsch, licorice, barnyard and jammy scents. Elegantly textured, with copious amounts of fresh, ripe, red fruit, the wine ends with sensations of jammy black raspberries, kirsch and wild strawberries. 3,518 Views Tasted Aug 6, 2010A complex filled with fresh, jammy black cherries, licorice, raspberry, Provencal herbs, licorice, black pepper, chocolate mint and strawberry tart kept your senses occupied. Full bodied and filled with ripe fruit, this richly textured wine ends with a long cherry griotte sensation. This is probably close to fully mature. It should remain at this level for another 5-8 years. 3,705 Views Tasted Jul 23, 2010A big, wonderful, ripe, rich, dense, peppery, Krisch dominated Chateauneuf. Lots of personality in every sip, sniff and swirl. Well balanced. Good structure with a long, pure finish. It was a lot of fun watching the wine improve and evolve in the glass. 3,911 Views Tasted Nov 1, 2007The deep ruby color entices you, but it's the nose that sucks in you in. Scents of ripe cherries, strawberries, raspberries, herbs, spices and burnt leaves excite your nose. Your palate is awash in concentrated layers of ripe, lush, kirsch and raspberries. Although high in ABV, 15.5%, there was no sign of heat in the long, rich finish. 2,741 Views Tasted Dec 27, 2005 |
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1998
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
It's been over 5 years since I last popped a cork on this wine, and time has been good this one. Dense, concentrated, full-bodied, dark and intense, the fruit is ripe, lusty, round, polished and mouth-filling. Long and rich, the fruit hangs with you on the palate. Decanted about 90 minutes, the wine improved in the glass for another few hours. Most of the oak has fully integrated into the wine. 3,339 Views Tasted Jul 24, 2019Young, firm, tannic, fresh and concentrated, there is a polish and softness to the ripe fruit that makes it feel good on your palate. Still young, this needs at least a decade to come around before it comes together. 5,591 Views Tasted May 22, 2014This stylish wine, while still primary is very plush, rich and packed and stacked with mountains of ripe, decadent fruit. But, opening them at this stage is infanticide. 4,445 Views Tasted Apr 25, 2005 |
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1998
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal (Hermitage)
This is still quite young. It took at least 4 hours in the decanter before the wine began to open and soften and provide its, spicy, mineral, peppery, ripe, black and red fruit charms. It's hard to believe, but it could take 5-10 more years in the cellar, or 4-6 hours in the decanter, if you want to enjoy the wine. 3,949 Views Tasted Jul 7, 2015Meaty, beefy, big and bouncy is great record from The Who, That title also describes this Hermitage from Chapoutier. Big, dense, powerful and filled with layers of ripe , black fruit, minerals, pepper, earth and truffles, this young, masculine wine has barely budged from the day it was released, Give it another 7-10 years before popping a bottle. 4,882 Views Tasted Mar 8, 2011 |
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1997
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
An hour of decanting helped this come together. Fresh, bright, lively and filled with ripe fruit, thyme, rocks, stones and underbrush. The wine is full-bodied, concentrated and seems to have moved to the brighter, stonier side. The oak has faded away, and the fruit is starting to assert itself. This should continue getting better wine age. 3,479 Views Tasted Feb 18, 20193 hours of decanting woke this puppy up. Smoke, kirsch, pepper, garrigue, cassis and barbecue aromas popped with no effort. On the palate the wine was rich, deep and concentrated, with a delicious black cherry and bright cassis note that kept going and going. Good now, better later. 5,151 Views Tasted May 18, 2014Spicy black fruit, bbq, minerality, tobacco and peppery scents start the off. Full bodied, powerful and concentrated with suave, dense, dark fruit, this wine will only get better with time. For Chapoutier Pavillon, a wine that normally takes more than 20 years to develop, this is already showing well. 5,006 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2012Light ruby in color, with a fragrance filled with spice, iron, black cherry liqueur, sharp black pepper, iodine, smoke and black raspberries with a hint of oak. Pure silky cherries flow over your palate with voluptuous textures and a long, fresh, smoky cherry and strawberry finish. 4,553 Views Tasted Oct 20, 2011The 1997 Chapoutier Pavillon biodynamically produced Hermitage, opens with a blast of fresh ground black pepper which gently fades as scents of jammy black raspberries, oak, ripe cherries and sweet vanilla become more apparent. Dense, rich and supple in texture, this opulent wine finishes with ripe black raspberries and a hint of oak. 94 Pts 4,917 Views Tasted Nov 17, 2010 |
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1997
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite (Hermitage)
Deeply colored with a nice perfume, this elegantly styled wine offers immense pleasure. Like many 97 Northern Rhone's, this offers a rich, plush, elegant personality. Decanted 3 hours before serving, there was a lot to like about this wine. 3,346 Views Tasted Apr 15, 2007 |
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1995
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Incredibly young, but it's impossible to miss the quality here. Intensely concentrated, powerful, tannic, fresh and lively, with a wall of fruit and a nose that combines ripe fruits, earth, smoke, thyme and mint, 3 hours of decanting was not enough. Time and air are needed for this wine to deliver the goods. 4,176 Views Tasted May 29, 2016Double decanted about 4 hours before serving helped soften the wine. Still youthful in appearance, and not fully developed in the nose, with some tannins left to soften, the concentrated, lush, dense wine is loaded with sweet, ripe fruits, earth, smoke, licorice and black cherries. The wine is starting to open, but it promises to be better in 5-10 years. This bottle, from the same case as the previous bottles tasted was a markedly better tasting experience. 4,288 Views Tasted Jul 29, 2015I own several bottles of this wine. I wanted to like it more. No. I needed to like it more. But I couldn't. Double decanted for 2-3 hours, it was still holding on tight. With effort, mineral driven, blackberry, cherry, smoke and herbal scents popped up. But the palate was still firm. There is ample concentration and by the end of the night, it started to soften, but that was not enough to make magic. I'm hoping that time will bring this around. My hope is fading at 20 years of age. But let's take a look in another 5 years. 4,097 Views Tasted Feb 10, 2015Firm, tannic, bright, structured and even stern, to some extent, the wine is very young. It's also very concentrated and tannic. There is an intensity to fruit that makes you pay attention. The complex nose serves up a melange ot thyme, cherries, earth, garrigue, kirsch and pepper, with a touch of mint. Give this 4-6 hours in the decanter, or wait a decade for it to soften and really come together. 3,516 Views Tasted May 22, 2014Sweet dark kirsch, crushed stone, fresh Provencal market herbs, plums, smoke, earth and thyme aromas pair well the rich, luxurious textures and fresh, ripe, round black and red fruit filled finish. Enjoyed over 2 hours, I was pleasantly surprised how well this was starting to show. Like all the better vintages of Chapoutier Hermtiage, this has a long future. 4,827 Views Tasted Jul 22, 2012Deep in color with gobs of fresh black pepper, earth, blackberry, cassis, oak and spice scents made up the perfume. Powerful, packed and stacked with layers of concentrated dark fruit, this round textured wine remains a baby at 16 years of age. Another 5-10 years will add a lot of complexity and texture to this outstanding Hermitage wine. 5,086 Views Tasted Jun 2, 20111995 Chapoutier Pavillon opens with tobacco, pepper, blue and black fruit, spices and a hint of oak in the perfume. This concentrated, round, opulent, powerful Hermitage keeps your attention with it's rich textures and purity of flavor. This is still very young. Give it another 10 years and watch it evolve from there. This is a sexy, suave style of Hermitage. It's not trying to be anything else. If you're looking for Chave, which I adore, buy Chave. If you want an opulent expression of Hermitage, this is the ticket. 97 Pts 5,570 Views Tasted Dec 8, 2010This wine is filled with blackberry, fresh cracked pepper, cassis, spice, smoke, earth and iron aromas. Powerful, concentrated and brawny in style, this large Hermitage requires an other 5-10 years before coming around. 5,589 Views Tasted Aug 2, 2010A beautiful, sexy wine. This lush, fat, concentrated wine is a pleasure to taste. When this wine matures, watch out as it will be at or close to the levels of the 89, 90 & 91! Absolutely compelling wine! 4,102 Views Tasted Feb 18, 2006 |
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1995
M. Chapoutier La Mordorée (Côte-Rôtie)
There is nothing better than catching a wine in the sweet spot, which is exactly where this charmer is today. Bright, fresh, polished, soft, concentrated and aromatic, the feels as good as it tastes. A splash decanting is all this needs to get going. 4,700 Views Tasted Jan 24, 2014Elegant, refined, pure kirsch, garrigue, oak, smoke, licorice, coconut, spice and nut aromas introduce you to a round, silky, sexy,ripe cherry, plum and black rasbberry filled wine that is close to fully mature. I'd drink this over the next 10-15 years. 4,386 Views Tasted Oct 25, 2011With coaxing, pepper and smoky black fruit could be found. Great texture. Long mouth coating finish. 4,009 Views Tasted Jul 12, 2009 |
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1994
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée (Hermitage)
94 Chapoutier L'Oree Is spun honey in color. Butterscotch, butter, oak, floral and citrus aromas. Fat and flabby in texture. The wine needs more acidity to give it better lift. It's a good wine, but more freshness would make it much more refreshing and interesting. 4,299 Views Tasted Aug 22, 2010Thick, ripe, rich, viscous, mouth filling wine with an opulent taste and texture. It had aromatics to match. However, its style is extreme and not for everyone. 3,542 Views Tasted Apr 25, 2005 |
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1992
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée (Hermitage)
This massive wine was almost sweet due to its ripe fruit component. Aromas of Vanilla, lemon, rocks and flowers leapt from the glass ending with a beautiful finish. Matt Raney called the wine “a Crappy Sauterne, labeling it, Chateau De Suck!” 2,827 Views Tasted Aug 17, 2003 |
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1991
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Surprisingly youthful, intense, full-bodied, and loaded with multiple layers of peppery, spicy red and black fruits, smoke, and pungent herbs. The wine lingers with its rich levels of concentrated red fruits and cracked pepper in the finish. Drink from 2023-2034. 2,351 Views Tasted Sep 12, 2023This is really coming on strong now. The fruit is loaded with rocks, stones, spice, earth and herbs. Full-bodied, concentrated and deep, with power, tannins and length, 90 minutes in the decanter added all the right stuff. 3,007 Views Tasted Nov 12, 2018A touch of oak, smoke, dark fruits, tobacco, wet soil, and coffee on the nose. Powerful, big, full bodied, rich and deep, the wine still shows just a hint of oak in the incredibly long, mouth filling finish. Believe it or not, I think it needs more time to develop to its full potential. This is really such a super wine. 5,477 Views Tasted Jan 12, 2017Stunning in every sense of the word with its intense display of sweet black cherry liqueur, crushed rocked, licorice, smoke and black raspberry jam. The was coats your palate, teeth and gums with flavor that does not quit. Double decanted about 4 hours in advance, the wine is the real deal. Still youthful, this promises to be even better in the years to come. 6,106 Views Tasted Jul 29, 2015Regardless of how many times I taste this wine, I'm never bored. The licorice, smoke, vanilla, kirsch, pepper, wild strawberry, herbs and wet earth capture your attention. Thick, rich and intense, at close to 22 years of age, it's still young. I would not be surprised to see this sublime wine age for decades. 4,853 Views Tasted Dec 20, 20121991 Chapoutier Pavillon retains is deep, dark color. Coffee, smoke, crushed stone, licorice, blackberry jam, pepper, spice, truffle, earth and tobacco notes explode from the glass the moment the bottle is opened and poured. Powerful, rich, intense and concentrated, everything is in balance and harmony. The wine ends with a long, pure, seamless finish filled with truffle coated, molten, cherry liqueu that remained on your palate for over one full minute! 5,581 Views Tasted Oct 7, 20111991 Chapoutier Pavillon is filled with fresh ground black pepper, blackberry, cherry, crushed stone and spice aromas. Intense, dense, fat, round and mouth filling, the wine ends with a long sensation of fresh blackberry, sweet and sour dark cherry and spice flavors. 4,799 Views Tasted Dec 8, 2010Once poured, the aromatic fireworks kicks off with intense scents of ripe black fruits, minerals and spice. On the palate, this elixir of Hermitage coats every nook and cranny of your mouth with waves of deep, ripe, powerful black fruit. This has incredible concentration. But, everything is in perfect balance. The texture is plush, fat, rich and opulent. The finish lasts close to :60! Still youthful, this magical wine should continue to improve offering hedonistic thrills for another 20 years or more. This wine is an E ticket ride! 6,202 Views Tasted Apr 5, 2008 |
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1991
M. Chapoutier La Mordorée (Côte-Rôtie)
Drinking in the sweet spot, with bricking at the edges, the wine is fully mature. Smoke, Asian spice, earth, flowers, cigar ash and black cherries are all over the place. The wine is soft, supple and sensuous. I'd drink it over the next 5-8 years. 4,474 Views Tasted Dec 19, 20121991 Chapoutier Mordoree is filled with pepper, licorice, barnyard, sweet jammy cherries, barnyard, blackberry, bacon fat and smoky aromas. Mouthfilling, with textures of exotic silk, this fully mature Cote Rotie ends with sweet, spicy, peppery, jammy, black cherries and fennel. 3,803 Views Tasted Oct 7, 2011Rumors of this wines untimely demise are as unfounded as those about Mark Twain when he was still alive. A powerful nose of fresh blackberry, coconut, black cherry, truffle, jam, violets and smoky bacon make this wine come alive. Full bodied and filled with decadent ripe fruit, the wine ends with a long, ripe, opulent, black raspberry, strawberry and kirsch filled finish. 4,723 Views Tasted Jun 10, 2010Silky, lush red and black fruit, spice and fresh herbs pop from the glass. The perfume is off the charts. Fully mature, this ends with an exotic, texture and rich, kirsch laden note. 4,467 Views Tasted Oct 20, 2006Notes of sandlewood, herbs, coffee and endless amounts of black and red fruits. The texture is pure elegance. Very exotic. This is probably fully mature and there is no reason to hold it any longer. 4,207 Views Tasted Jul 25, 2005 |
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1991
M. Chapoutier La Sizeranne (Hermitage)
Served blind, I was quite surprised to find out what it was, as I would not expect this wine to have aged so well. Lots of earth, smoke, and ripe black raspberries paired with elegant textures and a sweet, soft finish. This is much better than the last bottle tasted. 4,797 Views Tasted Aug 12, 2013Tart, short and unpleasant. And those were the positive traits! 3,988 Views Tasted May 26, 2010 |
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1990
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Full-bodied, concentrated, dark, olive, and peppery herb-packed wine was bright, crunchy red fruits. Still tannic, dense, long, and slightly rustic, the spicy, muscular, red currant and spicy plum endnotes come along with green olives, leafy herbs, and smoked earth. This is still quite good, but it did not live up to its anticipated potential. 3,288 Views Tasted Dec 8, 2021Purity, intensity, incredible length, minerality, freshness and uniqueness of character shine though with this stunner. Powerful, yet graceful, double decanted 4 hours in advance of serving, this beauty shows a floral, peppery, earthy, black cherry and crushed rock character that does not quit. 4,552 Views Tasted Jul 29, 2015Flashy, sexy, opulent dark, ripe berries, forrest, truffle, BBQ and peppery scents dominate the wine. Full bodied, intense and rich, this powerful wine leaves a lasting impression with its long, sensous, black fruit filled finish. 4,249 Views Tasted Oct 1, 2007 |
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1990
M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Beautiful, elegant, polished, silky textures and good concentration of ripe, dark and light red fruits are the highlight of the wine. Over the years, the nose has developed an intense barnyard aromatic quality that was almost too much for me. This was not quite as present in previous examples. This is fully mature. There is no reason to hold off popping your corks if you are sitting on a bottle. This was my last bottle from its original case. 4,161 Views Tasted Aug 29, 2016This has been one of those great cases where every bottle has been terrific. This penultimate bottle was no exception. The nose opened with intense barnyard notes which faded after 20 minutes, when kirsch, garrigue, pepper, licorice, earth and mint notes came into play. Soft, round and packed with silky, lush cherries, this is drinking perfectly today. 4,339 Views Tasted Mar 27, 2013With an intense perfume made of up ripe, fresh cherries, red raspberries, wild strawberries, black pepper and earth, this is a very silky expression of old vine Grenache. Plush, elegant and sensuous, this fully matrue Chateauneuf du Pape delivers a long, polished, pure, ripe, red berry and spice filled finish. 3,861 Views Tasted Feb 14, 201290 Chapoutier Barbe Rac "Holy cow Batman, this smells like a barn. Or is it fresh cow chips"? " You're right Robin. It's like the Penguins lair, if he lived on land". Once you move past the strong Farmville scents, licorice, tar, herbs, cherries, garrigue, rhubarb and fennel are easy to find. This Chateauneuf du Pape is fully mature, soft in texture and ends with kirsch flavors. 95 4,125 Views Tasted Aug 22, 2010Fresh market herbs, black pepper, crushed strawberry and cherry and earthy scents make the perfume. Multiple layers of lush red plum, kirsch and raspberries. Full bodied, sweet and round, this mature Chateauneuf is a treat for the sense. 4,525 Views Tasted Mar 7, 2006 |
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1990
M. Chapoutier Vin de Paille (Hermitage)
Packed with delicate, ripe, honeyed fruit. Orange, pineapple, peach and floral aromas. Medium bodied, with ample sweet flavors. 2,841 Views Tasted May 14, 2005 |
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1990
M. Chapoutier La Mordorée (Côte-Rôtie)
On its way out, as the fruit is fading, still, there was more than enough cherries, smoke, earth, and crushed rock in the nose to make the perfume stand out. On the palate, the wine no longer offers its kick of acidity, it is soft, round, and polished with a red plum, cocoa, dried thyme, and cherry griotte finish. This is not a wine for further development, Drink from 2023-2027. 1,717 Views Tasted Sep 4, 2023 |
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1990
M. Chapoutier La Sizeranne (Hermitage)
Spicy, earthy aromas aided by black fruit tones made this interesting. The wine ended in a simple, clean black fruit finish 2,613 Views Tasted Aug 10, 2004 |
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1989
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (Hermitage)
Incense, smoke, sweet, ripe, fresh blackberries on the nose are made even better with earth and tobacco aromatics. Rich, supple, fat and dense, the wine is sweet and packed with loads of ripe, dark fruits. The wine coats your mouth and palate with richness, and intensity leaving you with a long, finish. 2,744 Views Tasted Jan 12, 2017Picture sitting around an open campfire, with wet earth, cracked pepper, roasted herbs, fennel and sweet black currants and you get the idea on the nose. On the palate, the wine is intensely concentrated, powerful and almost dense, yet all of this is in harmony. The fruit is ripe, soft, fresh and sweet, the tannins are polished and the finish is long. Double decanted for 4 hours prior to serving, this was a great showing for the first wine from Michel Chapoutier that announced things were changing at his winery. 3,592 Views Tasted Jul 29, 2015Ripe black fruits, barnyard, gun metal, herbs and coffee scents tickle your nose. This very concentrated wine is, full bodied, rich, silky, polished and opulent. 4,356 Views Tasted Jul 12, 2009Enticing bouquet of black fruits, spices, wood, herbs and flowers. Very sensual, this is like sipping on dense velvet! Very rich, sexy, silky, ripe black fruit fills your palate. The long seamless finish ends in waves of fruit. Absolutely compelling wine 4,252 Views Tasted Oct 3, 2008This is a rich, opulent, sexy, exotic style of Syrah that fills your mouth with spicy, ripe black fruit. There is some oak in the nose, but there's so much going on in the wine, I barely noticed it. Needs more time. 3,847 Views Tasted Aug 1, 2007 |
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1969
M. Chapoutier La Sizeranne (Hermitage)
This comes in an old fashioned antique styled bottle. Just looking at it was cool. Unfortunately, the bottle shape was the best part of the experience. The wine was not dead. But, it was close offering a very light, simple, one note tasting experience. Other than some cherries in the finish, it was not interesting. The wine did not last long in the decanter before fading. 3,082 Views Tasted Oct 7, 2006 |
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1955
M. Chapoutier (Hermitage)
This wine was labeled as coming from Bessards, which was quite a surprise, meaning I had no idea a single vineyard wine was being made during the 1950's in Hermitage. In fact, I lost a bet on this one, but that's another story. Fully mature, with some fruit remaining, most of the wine focused on its stone, pepper and cigar box personality. The bright raspberries that amazingly still remained made this all work. This is one of those wines I'm never going to see again, but I am sure glad I was able to taste it! 1,429 Views Tasted Apr 16, 2016 |
