The
wines of Chapoutier, Rhône, France
M.
Chapoutier, 18 Avenue Dr Paul Durand, 26600 Tain l’Hermitage, Franca
Tel: 00 33 4 75 08 28 65 Fax: 00 33 4 75 08 81 70
E-mail: apine@chapoutier.com
UK agent: Mentzendorff (tel 020 7840)
NB
SEE A MORE RECENT REPORT (2011) BASED
ON A VISIT
Nine wines from this well known Rhône negociant, including
an impressive new portfolio of three organic wines. Quality is
reliable, but not fantastically exciting.
Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône (Organic) 2000
60% Grenache, 40% Syrah. Part of a new ‘organic’ portfolio,
this is quite impressive. Deep coloured. The nose shows pretty berry
fruit with a meaty edge – quite savoury. Good concentration of
meaty, chunky fruit on the palate with good acidity. Very good+
Chapoutier Châteauneuf du Pape (Organic) 2000
Very attractive sweet plumy damson fruit with a raspberry edge.
Medium bodied savoury palate with a nice earthy edge. Quite an
impressive in a modern style. Very good+
Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage (Organic) 2000
Slightly shy, rounded confected nose is rich and juicy. The palate
is savoury with very high acidity. A bit thin and unbalanced.
Good/very good
Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage ‘Petite Ruche’ 2000
Simple, juicy berry fruit on the nose with a slightly smoky, meaty
edge. Palate is quite thin with very high acidity. Youthful. Good/very
good
Chapoutier St Joseph ‘Deschants’ 1999
Deep coloured, with an attractive savoury meaty edge to the nose,
which is dominated by youthful berry fruit. Medium bodied, high-acid
palate with nice savoury juicy fruit. Currently quite youthful. Nice,
but could do with some more concentration. Very good
Chapoutier Hermitage ‘La Sizeranne’ 1999
Quite a forward nose which is currently dominated by new oak, with
some spicy, smoky berry fruit. Palate is medium bodied and woody with
an attractive savouriness. Nice young wine but a bit disappointing for
Hermitage. Very good (c. £25 per bottle)
Chapoutier Hermitage ‘La Sizeranne’ 2000
Expressive nose is quite sweet with lots of spicy oak and some
savoury fruit. Attractive medium-bodied, chunky palate is currently a
bit woody. Lacks real intensity? Very good+ (c. £25 per bottle)
Chapoutier Hermitage ‘La Sizeranne’ 1990
Mature, evolved nose of tea, leather, and herbs with a sweet edge.
With some spicy tannins, the palate is medium bodied and quite
balanced. Drinking well now, but not one to hold onto for much longer.
Quite light for Hermitage and vastly overpriced. Very good+ (c. £50
per bottle)
Chapoutier Ermitage ‘Le Meal’ 1999
Deep coloured. The nose shows firm, spicy, savoury fruit but is
currently a bit closed. Good concentration on the palate, which is
nicely savoury with rich fruit and spicy, dusty new oak. Fine grained
but firm tannins. Not my favourite style, but has potential for
development. Absurdly expensive though. Very good+ (c £100 per
bottle)
wines
tasted February 2002
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