Ermitage Rouge Le Meal 2013 M Chapoutier

Ermitage Rouge ‘Le Méal’, M Chapoutier, Hermitage, Northern Rhone, France, 2013 

Grape: 100% organic Syrah, 50+ year old vines, 2.2ha vineyard, hand-harvested, produced using biodynamic principles. Totally destemmed grapes. Only free-run juice is fermented in small cement vats. Ageing in new or one year old casks for 14-18 months.

This wine is produced with grapes coming from Le Méal hillside (150-200 metres altitude). It takes its name from the old French word meaning “the best”. This slope is composed of high terraces of shingles and clay. Vines are over 50 years old. The wine is characterised by a supple character, a fine balance and intense fruit aromas. Yields are again exceptionally low, at around 20 hl/ha. Le Méal produces wines with great perfume, richness and amazing ageing potential. The nose exhibits a ripe fruit character, with rich, stewed blackberries and powerful but velvety tannins on the palate. 

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"A classic expression of the gorgeous, sunbaked vineyard, the 2013 Ermitage le Méal is as ripe, sexy and voluptuous as they come in the vintage. Black raspberries, jammy blackberries, licorice, toasted spice and crushed flowers are just some of the nuances in the bouquet. Full-bodied, mouth-filling with ripe tannin, plenty of mid-palate density (which can be lacking in some wines in the vintage) and with a great finish, it has the balance and texture to dish out pleasure today, but will have 25 or more years of overall longevity." Drink 2015-2040

97/100 points, Jeb Dunnuck, WINE ADVOCATE, December 2015

"Bristles with energy, as the core of loganberry, raspberry and boysenberry confiture is pushed by lively, brambly structure and enticing notes of anise, singed apple wood and pain d'épices. There's a lot going on here, so give this time to settle." Best from 2019-2030

96/100 points, WINE SPECTATOR

"Vivid purple. Deep-pitched, smoke- and spice-accented aromas of blueberry and cherry compote, violet and incense take on a hint of olive. Lush and expansive, offering palate-staining black and blue fruit liqueur and spicecake flavors sharpened by a bright mineral element. Be comes sweeter and deeper with air and finishes extremely long, with velvety tannins and lingering spiciness." Anticipated maturity: 2020-2028

95/100 points, Josh Raynolds, VINOUS, January 2016