M. Chapoutier Hermitage "Monier de la Sizeranne" 2020
(Rhone, France) - [JS 95] [JD 94] [WS 94] [VM 93-95] [WA 93]

About the Winery:
The name Chapoutier occupies a storied place in the history of the Rhône Valley, beginning 1808, when the family first settled in the Rhône Valley. Throughout the 19^th century and well into the next, M. CHAPOUTIER and its eponymous winery grew steadily, producing wine from esteemed vineyard sites such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. However, 1990 was a watershed moment for the winery, with the arrival of Michel Chapoutier. Under his leadership, the maverick winemaker established bold initiatives. For example, the introduction of Single Vineyard Selection that express the unique terroir of a site, or wine labels embossed in braille for the visually impaired. In each instance, Michel’s decisions were, and continue to be, driven by a deep respect for the soil, climate, and his fellow human beings.

About this Wine:

Appearance: Deep garnet red. 

Nose: red fruit (rapberry, blackcurrant), with a hint of licorice.

Palate: Round and elegant wine with concentrated and gentle tannins. The final is on blackcurrant, raspberry and spicy (pepper) aromas.

Soil: The Hermitage “Monier de la Sizeranne” comes from a blending of different soils from West to East: • “les Bessards”: from a granitic origin, it constitutes the “soul” of a good Hermitage. • “le Méal”: old alluvial terraces, with a lot of gravels and shingles more or less calcareous. • “les Greffieux”: silty soil with shingles.

Vinification: Entirely destemmed, the grapes ferment in concrete tanks. From one to two daily treadings ensure a good extraction. Temperature varies between 30 and 33°C.

Ageing: 18 months ageing, 85% of which takes place in oak barrels, giving the wine its notes of oak. The remaining 15% is aged in concrete tanks to preserve minerality and freshness.

Alcohol content: 14%

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - James Suckling:
"An excellent Hermitage with the imposing structure we expect from this appellation, but also excellent balance. Stacks of elderberry and pepper, and also a touch of leather. So much depth and expression, but not a jot overbearing or heavy. In spite of the serious tannins at the finish there are wonderful flashes of red and black berry fruit. From blocks with granitic and sedimentary soils. Some whole bunch. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025." (Apr 2023)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Leading off the Hermitage, the 2020 Hermitage Monier De La Sizeranne is as classic as they come and has a balanced, layered, impressively structured profile as well as ample dark fruits, some smoky, meaty, leathery nuances, ripe tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. Coming from a mix of terroirs, destemmed, and aged 16 months in a mix of barrels and demi-muids (20% new), this serious, age-worthy Hermitage will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for over two decades." (Dec 2022)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This meaty, rich, polished Hermitage is intense and focused, showing serious tension between the plum, grilled cherry and smoking incense notes and the mounting mineral energy. This wine's elements are rounded out with warm earth, silky ganache and graphite on the nicely textured finish. Drink now through 2040. 150 cases imported." – Kristen Bieler (Mar 2024)

93-95 Points - Vinous Media:
"Saturated ruby. Vibrant, smoke-accented cherry, dark berry and floral aromas are complicated by suggestions of black pepper and licorice. Supple and broad on the palate, offering pliant black raspberry, bitter cherry, candied violet and spicecake flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. A floral pastille note builds on the persistent, floral-driven finish, which shows fine delineation and round, slowly building tannins. The 2016 rendition of this wine was showing beautifully this past June, with highly expressive floral and mineral notes, pliant texture and resounding blue fruit character. It has miles to go, but it's pretty gorgeous right now." - Josh Raynolds (Dec 2022)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2020 Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne is loaded with cassis and blueberries—it's a really fruit-forward Hermitage, but one that still shows a modicum of granitic restraint on the medium to full-bodied palate, smooth, silky tannins and an elegant finish."'' – Joe Czerwinski (May 2024)