M. Chapoutier : L'Ermite 2021

A fine red wine from Ermitage, delicate and flavoursome

The estate

Established since 1808 in Tain-L'Hermitage, M. Chapoutier is an elite reference among fine Rhône Valley wines today.

Winemaker and wine merchant, Michel Chapoutier has successfully brought this family-owned business to the very top. The wines by Maison Chapoutier are renowned by the finest connoisseurs from all around the world for their refinement and high quality. A man of many talents, Michel Chapoutier holds the world record for 100/100 scores awarded by the American critic, Robert Parker. Mathilde, Michel Chapoutier's daughter, has taken over the running of this iconic house, which has over 350 hectares of vineyards in the most prestigious appellations of the northern and southern Rhône Valley region.

The vineyard

M. Chapoutier's Ermite 2021 is an Ermitage wine that stems from a vineyard that boasts a Biodynamic Farming certificate since 1991. Located at the top of the slope of Hermitage, around the chapel in a hamlet called l'Ermite, this fine Rhône Valley terroir is composed of shallow, sandy, leached brown soils from the Tournon granite. Some of the 120-year-old vines are planted on very nutrient-poor granite soils. Constantly seeking excellence, a large proportion of the vines date from before the phylloxera devastation or have been replaced by layering (i.e. without rootstock).

The vintage

2021 is a vintage during which the contrasting conditions between the northern and southern parts of the Rhône Valley revealed the nuanced and rich expression of each of these fine terroirs. This vintage is seductive due to its finesse and its aromatic palette that harmoniously blends complexity and elegance.

The blend

Syrah (100%).

M. Chapoutier’s L'Ermite 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Nose

Discreet, the nose reveals a beautiful concentration when aerated. Fragrances of black fruits, smoky notes and spices blend harmoniously with notes of cedar and gunpowder.

Palate

Dense and deep, the palate seduces with its fine tannins as well as its finish that combines peppery (finely grilled Sichuan pepper) and fruity (black fruit coulis) aromas.