M. Chapoutier "Ermitage Le Meal" Rouge 2021
(Northern Rhone, France) - [JS 100] [DM 95] [WS 95] [WA 93-95] [JD 93] [VM 92]

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:
The wine is only produced with grapes coming from the Méal hillside. This slope is composed of high terraces of shingles and clay. The vines are approximately 50 years old.

The grapes are hand-harvested at maturity. The harvest, totally destemmed, is vinified in a small cement vat. High temperature maceration enables a good extraction of grape potential, to obtain soft and stable tannins, compulsory to keep the wine for a very long time. Only the free-run juice is used in this single vineyard. Wine is matured in new or one year old cask. Maturing lasts between 14 and 18 months. The clarification is natural.

100% Syrah

13.5% ABV

Tasting Notes:
Very deep garnet red. The nose displays ripe fruits and smoky aromas. Powerful and velvety with tannins and blackberry jam on the palate.

Ratings & Reviews

100 Points - James Suckling:
"Hypnotic nose of the perfectly ripe wild berries and the most aromatic wild herbs plus the smoke from autumn bonfires. Already the first impression on the expansive and extremely dynamic palate is extraordinary, but then the mineral turbo ignites and this just blows you away in the incredibly long, bright finish. Limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold." (Apr 2024)

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Very immediate and fruity in style and a touch balsamic. Quite sappy acidity -- really intense in fact. Fairly introverted at the time of tasting, but the tannins are bold and powerful and demand long ageing. Vines are around 50 years old, and the wine is fermented in concrete, then aged in recently used oak barrels for around 14 months." - Matt Walls (Oct 2022)

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A sultry red, with a pronounced sanguine, meaty character, this offers a well-seasoned and harmonious mix of earthy, leafy elements matched to supple plum and cherry leather, with eucalyptus and refreshing mint notes. Profoundly minerally, with meaty accents and incense smoke echoing on the long, salty and texturally beautiful finish. Best from 2026 through 2042. 10 cases imported." - KB (Dec 2024)

93-95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Chapoutier's 2021 Ermitage le Méal, like a couple of the other parcel selections this vintage, seems just a bit cedary compared to other recent vintages. Red raspberries and ripe cherries lead the way in this medium to full-bodied effort. It's silky and refined, with some drying wood tannins and crisp, cranberry-ish acids on the finish. It requires a palate realignment after the past few years." - Joe Czerwinski (May 2024)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Ermitage Le Méal is a solid step up over the Les Greffieux, with more density and richness, although it's still firmly in the more elegant, pretty, medium-bodied style of the vintage. All destemmed and raised in 20% new oak, it has a perfumed nose of black raspberries, sandalwood, white pepper, and spice. I love its overall balance, and while it’s not massive, it shines for its purity and elegance. Drink bottles over the coming 15-20 years." (Mar 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"Red-fruited and discretely marked by cedar and vanilla, the medium-bodied 2021 Ermitage Le Méal shows more moderate flavor concentration than other recent vintages. Polished and refreshing, it concludes with a pleasant finale." - Nicolas Greinacher (Mar 2024)