Chapoutier   Ermitage lErmite

2015 Ermitage l'Ermite

By Chapoutier

2015 Ermitage l'Ermite from Chapoutier, Rhône, Rest of the World

The 2015 vintage of Ermitage l'Ermite by Chapoutier is one to be extolled, effortlessly uniting intensity, elegance and longevity. Within this extraordinary offering, we discover both the character formed by years under the watchful eye of Michel Chapoutier and the distinctive qualities borne of the 2015 season in question.

 

Unearthing the Richness of 2015's Bounty

This wine offers an exquisite testament to the inexorable bond between terroir and temperature. The warmth of 2015 in Rhône valley coaxed the Syrah grape to a refined ripeness - each bunch bathing in golden sunlight before careful harvest. The result is an Ermitage l'Ermite that distinguishes itself most grandly amidst its brethren.

The heat of that year promised an excess which never arrived; rather it was translated immaculately into depth and complexity in this vintage. Layer upon layer unfurls upon first taste: an initial encounter with robust, dark fruit notes gracefully gives way to spiced undertones intertwined with whiffs of glossy leather.

 

Investment Potential in a Bottle

Chapoutier’s portfolio is no stranger to investment circles, and the 2015 Ermitage l'Ermite shows why. It brings to the table a valuable proposition - it is an investment-grade wine with full-bodied fruit expression and a compelling structure that ensures longevity. In essence, an elusive blend that will unquestionably appreciate over time.

 

A Masterstroke from Chapoutier

This Syrah-based bottle fortifies Michel Chapoutier's reputation for crafting wines that capture a snapshot of time under the Rhône sun. The 2015 vintage is particularly impactful, encapsulating a year of abundant heat, wisely channelled into power and elegance by skillful winemaking.

In conclusion, the 2015 Ermitage l'Ermite from Chapoutier is not merely a drink to be savouringly sipped upon - it likewise proves a potent addition to any investor's portfolio, providing both tangible pleasure and fiscal reward from one exceptional year in the Rhône valley.

Market price (USD)

$5,110.00

12x75cl

Highest score

100

POP score

209.5

Scores and tasting notes

100

My pick of Chapoutier's 2015 Ermitage bottlings on this occasion was the 2015 Ermitage l'Ermite. It just edged out the other wines for its incredible purity of cassis fruit, indelible intensity and massive concentration. Size doesn't matter if the other elements aren't there, but this wine is complex, balanced and long, a true tour de force. Hints of crushed stone, peppery spice and grilled meat are in the background right now, partially submerged under the waves of fruit and ripe tannins, so give it a decade or so to shed some of that puppy fat and reveal its true nature.

Joe Czerwinski - The Wine Advocate, 29 December 2017

Vintage performance