Always in the oldest part of the Chapoutier estates, on the Hermitage hill, the Ermitage le Méal 2017 is a total dazzle. Raspberry cream notes remain fresh and lively throughout, accompanied by notes of blueberry, spice and vanilla, while the tannins are silky, the mouthfeel is generous and the overall impression is one of great seduction and elegance.

Harvest : manual harvest at maturity.

Soil : This wine is produced exclusively with grapes from the slopes of Méal. This hill is made up of high terraces of rolled stones and clay. It is a Hermitage of old vines, about fifty years old.

Vinification : The harvest, 100% destemmed, is vinified in a small cement tank. Maceration at high temperature allows extracting the potential of the grapes, obtaining soft and silky tannins, necessary for long-term aging. Only drop wine is used for this batch selection.

Aging : 100% in barrels (new barrels and in barrels of one or two wines) for 16 to 18 months.

Variety : 100% Syrah.

REVIEWS:

Jeb Dunnuck - 96/100
James Suckling - 96/100
R. Parker - Wine Advocate - 100/100

TASTING NOTES:

Color : very dark grenat almost black.
Nose : black fruits with hints of spice and ink.
Mouth : very powerful and at the same time velvety tannins, smoky and peppery notes, magnificently expresses the Syrah in this granitic territory.
Depending on the harvest, this wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years, even from 50 to 75 years.

Side dishes: Beef rib with chanterelles. Roasted deer with its juice. Wild boar stew, all cheeses.