Chapoutier   Ermitage Cuvee de lOree

2003 Ermitage Cuvee de l'Oree

By Chapoutier

Exploring the Grandeur of 2003 Ermitage Cuvee de l'Oree from Chapoutier, Rhone Valley, Rest of the World

The Rhone Valley presents us with the 2003 Ermitage Cuvee de l'Oree from Chapoutier. This boutique producer, Chapoutier, has long enchanted critics and wine investors alike with their spellbinding expressions of the Hermitage's rich and varied terroir.

 

deciphering the voluptuousness of 2003 Vinyl Vintage

The year 2003 was a particularly hot vintage, resulting in a decadent expression of Marsanne in the Ermitage Cuvee de l'Oree. As exceptional weather conditions shaped the harvest season, a unique character was imprinted onto this wine. Epitomizing opulence, this fine example showcases how climatic factors played an essential role in achieving an ideal balance of ripeness and acidity - a key to successful wine investment.

Tasting notes reveal golden hues that hint at its maturation-the relevance of time when investing in fine wine. Each sip unfurls with unreserved richness—a lush blend of quince, honeycomb and sweet toasted brioche with an alluring hint of saffron spice.

 

Rhone valley: The Master of Syrah

The Rhone Valley is the undeniable motherland of Syrah, although within its borders one finds transformative expressions of white varietals such as Marsanne - the protagonist in our Ermitage Cuvee de l'Oree. As unique as it is sumptuous, the 2003 vintage brings forth another level of complexity—a triumph indeed for Chapoutier and testament to Marsanne's potential in an adept vintner’s hand.

This symbolic creation tacitly echoes the prowess of Chapoutier, leaving no doubt as to why they are massively influential across the board, from casual imbibers to the crème de la crème of wine investors.

To sum up, the 2003 Ermitage Cuvee de l'Oree is an extravagant rendition of Marsanne—a masterstroke by Chapoutier. Its embodiment of that particular year, with all its climatic ebbs and flows, stands as a testament to the timeless allure of investing in fine wine. This is what extraordinary wines from remarkable vintages should strive for—it's not merely about a good drink but an investment in a piece of history and, indeed, future appreciation.

Market price (HKD)

HK$17,540.00

12x75cl

Highest score

99

POP score

96.84

Scores and tasting notes

99

Nearly perfect, one of the most prodigious dry white wines I have ever tasted is the 2003 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree. A 669-case cuvee fashioned from yields of 10 hectoliters per hectare, it offers aromas and flavors beyond anything I have previously tasted in a dry white. It tastes like a liqueur of licorice intermixed with a liqueur of honeysuckle, quince, and rocks. Opulent, viscous, and full-bodied, at first glance it is seemingly fragile and over the top, but it boasts extraordinary freshness and liveliness as well as monster concentration and a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. I suspect it will drink beautifully for 3-4 years, then go into a funky stage, and re-emerge two decades later. It may be a 100-year wine ... but who knows? Without question, it is a tour de force in winemaking. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 February 2006

Vintage performance