Wine Tasting: Chapoutier - Selection Parcellaire (15th Oct 1997)
Presented by Marc Chapoutier, Tain l'Hermitage.
1. 1995 Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe-Rac
15th Oct 1997 Rhone Table Red
[Barrel sample. 100% Grenache.]
Even, bright, purple/red to red.
Creamy nose with black cherries, chocolate and a touch of spice.
Very concentrated, spicy chocolate and oak flavours, smooth and mouth-filling.
Gorgeous now, but what a crime to drink it so young!
2. 1995 Chapoutier Cote Rotie Mordoree
15th Oct 1997 Rhone Table Red
[Barrel sample.]
Deep, even, purple to purple/red.
Slightly mute nose but concentrated vanilla and smoke lurking in there.
Full bodied with a lovely, velvety texture; flavours of violets, mulberries and minerals; good acidity and soft, leathery tannins; toasty oak coming through in the finish. Very elegant.
An outstanding wine that shows remarkably well now.
3. 1995 Chapoutier Ermitage Pavillon
15th Oct 1997 Rhone Table Red
[Barrel sample.]
Deep, even purple with slight fading towards the rim.
Elegant nose that is still holding back - notes of spice, cassis and mulberries.
Full bodied, very soft wine with spicy cassis fruit and a luscious, velvety mouthfeel. Gentle and elegant, with no aggressive tannins, this wine is superb now.
Hide it deep and enjoy it in 5 or more years.
4. 1996 Chapoutier Saint Joseph Granite
15th Oct 1997 Rhone Table Red
[Barrel sample. 70 year old vines]
Deep, even, purple with some fading at rim.
Earthy, meaty nose with aromas of berry fruits and mushrooms.
Full bodied and velvety, with sweet, spicy cassis and mulberry fruits. Soft and alcoholic with a long, well balanced finish.
A monster of a wine, again with no aggressive tannins - keep for a decade or more (if you can!)
5. 1996 Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage Varonniers
15th Oct 1997 Rhone Table Red
[Barrel sample. 80 to 90 year old vines]
Deep purple to pinkish purple.
Up and in-your-face nose of chocolate, cream and violets with fleshy, spicy notes.
Full bodied with masses of bramble fruit, good underlying acidity and tannins and a long, minty finish.
Superb but still very simple - keep at least 5 years.
6. 1996 Chapoutier Hermitage Meal
15th Oct 1997 Rhone Table Red
[Barrel sample.]
Even, red/purple.
Meaty nose with spicy oak and truffle aromas.
Fleshy but remarkably smooth. Flavours of raspberries, tobacco, mulberries and tart cherries.
Superb now but still simple - best hidden away for 5 or more years.
7. 1996 Chapoutier Hermitage l'Hermite
15th Oct 1997 Rhone Table Red
[Barrel sample. Chapoutier's top red, made from the parcel of vines around the chapel.]
Opaque purple - could be Australian!
Herbal, concentrated black fruit nose with notes of truffles and violets.
Extremely concentrated, thick wine with layers and layers of flavour (black fruits, tobacco, earth, oak). The weight carries through to the end of the long, long finish.
Certainly the best red wine I've ever tasted.