Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulence. Citrus and white peach basics, a bit of bubble gum, which hopefully disappears with time. Warm climate white proportions, bolder, some CO2 adds freshness. Clean, well made.
Some matchstick reduction for start, but with air tropical fruits, peaches emerge. Slightly aromatic. Low acid, viscous palate as one might expect from a Condrieu. Medium-bodied and dry with white peach flavors. Perhaps a bit of phenolic tartness helps to keep it in shape, finishes a little hot. Not a bit of crispness here, but does not lack interest, even complexity.
Quality oak, some smoke, yellow stone fruits, a bit of caramel on the nose. Full-bodied, broading, slightly viscous, acidity is medium. Quite rich, gently saline. Warm climate white, finishing a bit hot, but overall quite polished and serious. 92-93 points
Perfect Cotes du Rhone typicity. Bright, pure raspberry-driven fruity aromas, balanced, fresh palate. Joyous drink for early consumption, full of pleasure. Can't be better in it's class.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Made entirely in concrete vats. Pure, effortless, dare I say, natural. Lush, ripe Grenache nose with plums, raspberries, some spice and a touch of leather. Smooth on the palate, but finishes firm with medium to high tannins. Some alcohol heat. No makeup here.
Real intensity to the nose. Some smoked ham, beetroot too. A little green, but lovely with that. Spicy. Elegant, leaner on the palate, just medium-bodied. Crisp acidity, great tannins. Perfectly dry, clean and typical.
Amazing contrast to their Crozes-Hermitage (and all Crozes I know, BTW): still cool climate shaped but shows not a hint of greenness. Well, what are that steep slope for, if not getting more sun (same for Cornas, etc)? Black pepper in abundance here, black currants and black cherries, some licorice, earthy, beetroot notes - the nose is serious and elegant. Developing. Refined palate, rich and restrained at the same time. Every detail is polished. Crisp acidity, high, ripe and integrated tannins, good structure. A great Syrah with a Burgundy touch.
Step up in concentration to the 2008 La Sizeranne, and though the first sniff is overwhelming, the amazement soon diminishes. Bigger, deeper than it's little brother, but while that seems detailed and complex at every sip, this gets less convincing after the first look. Even riper nose, but still not warm climate-like or over-ripe. Licorice, black cherries, spices, some leather - hard to pick up individual notes. Medium to full bodied, great acidity, very firm tannins. Nothing over the top, but just not really seamless or refined; more depth and "seriousness" than overall greatness. Too young, you could say, and no question, it has the depth to go to the distance. Still, I'm a bit unsure if it really develops into something magical. 91-93 points for now, probably goes much higher with time. Hold.
2010 Schieferkopf Par Michel Chapoutier Riesling 87 Points
France, Alsace
Bright, delicate nose of lemon and apricot, taste is firmer. Bone dry, acid driven. Nice.
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2012 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Blanc Belleruche 86 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulence. Citrus and white peach basics, a bit of bubble gum, which hopefully disappears with time. Warm climate white proportions, bolder, some CO2 adds freshness. Clean, well made.
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2011 M. Chapoutier Condrieu Invitare 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
Some matchstick reduction for start, but with air tropical fruits, peaches emerge. Slightly aromatic. Low acid, viscous palate as one might expect from a Condrieu. Medium-bodied and dry with white peach flavors. Perhaps a bit of phenolic tartness helps to keep it in shape, finishes a little hot. Not a bit of crispness here, but does not lack interest, even complexity.
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2011 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette 92 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Quality oak, some smoke, yellow stone fruits, a bit of caramel on the nose. Full-bodied, broading, slightly viscous, acidity is medium. Quite rich, gently saline. Warm climate white, finishing a bit hot, but overall quite polished and serious. 92-93 points
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2012 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche 86 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
Perfect Cotes du Rhone typicity. Bright, pure raspberry-driven fruity aromas, balanced, fresh palate. Joyous drink for early consumption, full of pleasure. Can't be better in it's class.
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2010 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 89 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Made entirely in concrete vats. Pure, effortless, dare I say, natural. Lush, ripe Grenache nose with plums, raspberries, some spice and a touch of leather. Smooth on the palate, but finishes firm with medium to high tannins. Some alcohol heat. No makeup here.
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2011 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Petite Ruche 87 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage
Real intensity to the nose. Some smoked ham, beetroot too. A little green, but lovely with that. Spicy. Elegant, leaner on the palate, just medium-bodied. Crisp acidity, great tannins. Perfectly dry, clean and typical.
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2011 M. Chapoutier Saint-Joseph Les Granilites
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph
Reductive, sharp, muted. Cannot see where it is going.
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2008 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne 94 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Amazing contrast to their Crozes-Hermitage (and all Crozes I know, BTW): still cool climate shaped but shows not a hint of greenness. Well, what are that steep slope for, if not getting more sun (same for Cornas, etc)? Black pepper in abundance here, black currants and black cherries, some licorice, earthy, beetroot notes - the nose is serious and elegant. Developing. Refined palate, rich and restrained at the same time. Every detail is polished. Crisp acidity, high, ripe and integrated tannins, good structure. A great Syrah with a Burgundy touch.
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2007 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Step up in concentration to the 2008 La Sizeranne, and though the first sniff is overwhelming, the amazement soon diminishes. Bigger, deeper than it's little brother, but while that seems detailed and complex at every sip, this gets less convincing after the first look. Even riper nose, but still not warm climate-like or over-ripe. Licorice, black cherries, spices, some leather - hard to pick up individual notes. Medium to full bodied, great acidity, very firm tannins. Nothing over the top, but just not really seamless or refined; more depth and "seriousness" than overall greatness. Too young, you could say, and no question, it has the depth to go to the distance. Still, I'm a bit unsure if it really develops into something magical. 91-93 points for now, probably goes much higher with time. Hold.
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