M. Chapoutier Retrospective
Thirteen wines across the northern and southern Rhône, including a four-vintage vertical of Le Pavillon - one of the world's great Syrahs, from the hill of Hermitage. (2021 | 2018 | 2009 | 2001)
Tasting through…
Crozes-Hermitage | Hermitage | Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Ermitage
2001 | 2006 | 2009 | 2011 | 2011 | 2012 | 2018 | 2018 | 2020 | 2021
“…produces some of the world’s greatest wines from single parcels of old vines spread throughout the northern and southern Rhone…He also has an impressive portfolio of value-priced wines that are often over-looked when this impressive producer is discussed.”
Robert M. Parker Jr.
“History will record that Michel Chapoutier is a revolutionary.”
Robert M. Parker Jr.
“This estate goes from strength to strength in just about every appellation in the Rhône Valley… From the top to the bottom of the range, you can’t go wrong”
Jeb Dunnuck
Thursday, May 14th
Chapoutier: The Rhône Retrospective
Hosted by Damian Agnel, M. Chapoutier
Private dining room event | Limited to guests 14 guests
6.30pm | 13 wines and 4 courses | $625
An Estate that nurtures its vineyards with the greatest respect for natural balance and terroir since 1808. The family motto “Fac et Spera” – do and hope – says it all. Two words that sum up all the patience and care that this art demands: patience in relation to nature which presides; care from the winemaker, who observes, chooses and assists. The wine will be the faithful expression of this alchemy. Michel Chapoutier manages an exceptional Estate, a land rich in history and tradition. Passionately interested in expressing the character of the soil, Michel has found the means to give free rein to his convictions.
M. Chapoutier Context
“This estate goes from strength to strength in just about every appellation in the Rhône Valley.” Looking specifically at Hermitage, Chapoutier owns a massive 64 acres, mostly on the famed Bessards lieu-dit, yet also with significant portions on Le Meal, L’Ermite and Les Greffieux, with smaller portions in the Beaume and Murets lieux-dits. From this he fashions five reds (Monier De La Sizeranne, Les Greffieux, Le Meal, Le Pavillon and L’Ermite) and four whites (Chante Alouette, Cuvee de l’Oree, Le Meal Blanc and L’Ermite Blanc), all of which are brilliant wines, with the best ranking up alongside the top wines in the world.
Not enough can be said about the quality that consistently comes from this estate. From the top to the bottom of the range, you can’t go wrong. And while the prices at the top are frightfully expensive (they’re out of my zip code), there are incredible values from St Péray, St Joseph, Cornas and Crozes Hermitage that should be snatched up by readers.
Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
“Michel Chapoutier produces some of the world’s greatest wines from single parcels of old vines spread throughout the northern and southern Rhone… he also has an impressive portfolio of value-priced wines that are often over-looked when this impressive producer is discussed.”
Robert M. Parker Jr.
9 of his wines were awarded a perfect 100 points score by Robert Parker in 2015…A huge Record!!
The Wine List and Menu
First Bracket
2019 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Blanc
Pale golden yellow, a silver sheen. Subtle notes of fresh herbs, yellow tropical fruit, nuances of fresh pear, mandarin zest. Juicy, some honeydew melon, a touch mineral, powerful and persistent, a salty note, a lemony aftertaste, already accessible.
91 Points, Peter Moser, Falstaff
2022 M. Chapoutier Condrieu Invitare
A well-rounded. textural and succulent white with notes of fresh lemons, blanched almonds, sage and some stones. It’s medium-bodied with a mineral drive. Succulent green apple character, with a positive bitterness throughout. It’s precise, lively and textured with a salivating, floral finish.
94 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
1st Course
Second Bracket
2018 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Blanc
The 20- 40-year-old vines are at the centre of this Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, a 100 percent marsanne that is 90+ percent stainless steel fermented. Expect a pale yellow colour with flecks of green. Floral and quince wafts from the glass, with a creamy, brioche, nutty finish. An electric wine that is all Chapoutier.
91 Points, Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi on Wine
2020 M. Chapoutier Herm Chante Alouette
Appealingly ripe, primarily apricot fruit with mango notes. Full bodied but not fat, with good weight, presence, mango-like acidity and deft oak work helping to underpin the rich fruit. Tangy, spicy finish of impressive length, ending with tobacco and cinnamon. An authentic white Hermitage with freshness and grandeur but also drinkability. A very good, classic vintage of this cuvée.
95 Points, Matt Wall, Decanter
2018 M. Chapoutier De lOree Blanc
Leading off the single vineyard Hermitage whites, the 2018 Ermitage De L’Orée is all Marsanne, from the Les Murets lieu-dit, brought up mostly in used demi-muids. Orange blossom, crushed citrus, spice box, white flowers, beautiful minerality, and vivid charcoal notes emerge from the glass of this beautiful, concentrated, opulent Hermitage, which has a stacked mid-palate and a level of structure fitting for a red wine. It's a brilliant wine that's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 20+.
98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
2nd Course
Third Bracket
2006 M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Very pure and driven, with a great beam of macerated red currant fruit laced with licorice, raspberry, bittersweet cocoa and incense notes that extend through the long, mouthwatering finish. Very rich, but offers admirable precision. Drink now through 2022.
94 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
2011 M. Chapoutier Croix de Bois Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Vivid ruby-red. Sexy red fruit liqueur, potpourri and Asian spice aromas show impressive power and an energetic, pinot-like character. Sappy, tangy and precise on the palate, displaying lively raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of spicecake. Closes on a mineral note, with superb clarity, verve and length.
93 Points - International Wine Cellar
2011 M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Presents a smoldering feel from the start, with singed bay leaf, alder and tobacco notes leading the way for mulled currant, blackberry coulis and dark licorice flavors. Picks up a charcoal spine through the finish, showing ample depth. Best from 2015 through 2025. 29 cases imported.
93 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
2012 M. Chapoutier Barbe Rac Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This delivers stunningly pure fruit, with silky layers of raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry coulis that cascade over each other, backed by subtle dried anise and warm ganache notes. Very concentrated but not hefty, this sails through the finish, with a perfectly embedded graphite spine and a long echo of lavender. Best from 2018 through 2032.
96 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
3rd Course
Fourth Bracket
2021 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon
Welcome to the seductively dark and smoky heart of Hermitage. Enormously rich and spicy, with great blackberry fruit plus a touch of red beets, then the very bright and pure tannins charge through, followed by the mineral acidity that sets the sky alight at the extremely long and linear finish. How could you resist this beauty that is simultaneously so deep and playful? Great aging potential. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
99 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
2018 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon
The 2018 Ermitage le Pavillon is a plush, full-bodied beauty that combines fruity notes of blueberries with savory notes of black olives and marries them together with rich, earthy notes. Almost creamy across the mid-palate, it finishes with soft waves of velvety tannins. I expect this will firm up a bit prior to bottling, then drink well for two decades.
96-98 Points, Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
2009 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon
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.
100 Points, Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
2001 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon
Gorgeous, with velvety, plush black currant and plum fruit supported by very suave vanilla bean- and mocha java-tinged toast. Dense and long on the finish, with the toast caressing the fruit all the way through. Aromatic, richly flavored and balanced. Best from 2005 through 2014. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 600 cases made.
94 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator