This is a very tannic 11 year old Syrah from Northern Rhône.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Showing red fruits with earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco, graphite, dark coffee, light barnyard and peppercorn.
Grippy finish with raspberries.
Needs many more years to mature properly.
100% Syrah grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$150. — a month ago
Power, poise and precision. Black fruit galore, spice, bacon and butcher shop, bonfire, smoke, olives, garrique - an incredible nose that gave me goosebumps. Perfect balance, immense intensity and just spot on. — 2 months ago
75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre —a total stunner she is, drinkable now with a body to go the difference. The nose brings red fruits (plums, cherries, strawberries) and roses and rose petals. The palate is silky-smooth, fresh fruit giving way to tootsie roll and stewed fruit flavors, augmented by earth and sanguine balsamic grooves, a bit of herbal garrigue carrying the day. The finish carries on, persistent and solidly ethereal if we can make that a thing. — a month ago
Very nice and right. — 3 days ago
Wild blackberry and bramble with oaky notes on the nose. Gravel, leather and oak on tongue as blackberry rolls over the middle with notes of black cherry and pepper. Full bodied, nice tannins, finishing in leathery oak. Very impressive for the price, lives up to its name… i can feel a wine revolution in the air as california reds continue to display the richness and complexity on their french counterparts. — a month ago
Served with Fisherman’s Pasta - sablefish, mussels, saffron gnocchetti pasta, fennel, fresh baguette toast. Well stored Hermitage Blanc is a special experience and this bottle of 1999 “Le Méal” was no exception. Fascinating notes of clove, yellow flowers, apricot, marmalade, honeysuckle, and sunflower seed. Next to the Montrachet, the acid is perceived to be low and there’s an almost oily texture. Delicious. — 2 months ago
Adam Gäfvert
Very approachable and seamless. Dark fruits, iron, terracotta, citrus. Chapoutier always delivers serious wines. — a month ago