Chapoutier   Ermitage lErmite

2001 Ermitage l'Ermite

By Chapoutier

2001 Ermitage l'Ermite from Chapoutier, Rhone, Rest of the World

The revered 2001 Ermitage l’Ermite from Chapoutier presented itself to the palate with an audacious promise during its debut, a promise which it has since delivered upon with gusto. This rare gem from the Rhone Valley is indeed one to command attention.

 

Basking in all its glory - a vintage of distinction

Like a historic home retaining its grandeur despite the passage of time, the 2001 vintage rose above its brethren. This year was lauded for producing some of the most remarkable wines from Rhone, and the Ermitage l’Ermite stands majestically amongst them. The growing season witnessed near-perfect climatic conditions, resulting in wines with exceptional balance, noteworthy intensity and sublime structure - essential attributes for any serious wine investor.

Fulfilling the quintessence of its namesake terroir, this extraordinary Syrah unveiled itself as full-bodied, potent yet strikingly vibrant. It demonstrated complexity through layers of black fruit and dried herbs tightly packed within velvety tannins. The aromatics denote hints of mushroom and leather which circumnavigate its dark fruit core, ensuring an intense journey for the senses.

 

A symbolic monument in the realm of Rhone wines

The 2001 Ermitage l’Ermite eloquently evidences why Chapoutier has indisputably earned its station as one of Rhone’s most admired wine producers. As though chiselled into the walls of fine wine history, this vintage confirms Michel Chapoutier's masterful ability to harness terroir and transform it into varietal poetry.

Few wines can lay claim to such sheer invincibility over the years. Although brimming with youthful vitality, it would be unwise to overlook this wine’s enormous ageing potential. Already two decades on, and yet, the 2001 Ermitage l’Ermite by Chapoutier beckons appreciation for its pedigree and future promise - a true hallmark of an investable wine.

Together, Chapoutier and the sublime 2001 vintage have contrived a wine that embroiders its own narrative within the tapestry of fine Rhone wines. An eloquent verse in the grand epic of Rhone, it is a spectacular addition to any serious collector or investor’s portfolio.

Current market price

£2,630.00

12x75cl

Highest score

99

POP score

138.42

Scores and tasting notes

98-100

The black-colored 2001 Ermitage l’Ermite may be equal to the perfect 1996. Awesome levels of kirsch liqueur, licorice, and white flowers are followed by a superbly concentrated, etched, long, deep wine with multiple layers, a fabulous texture, and virtually perfect balance as well as harmony. Possessing great stature and intensity, it is a monumental achievement. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040. These uncompromising offerings from a young genius are not meant for consumers who want something to drink immediately. They are the essence of bio-dynamically farmed vineyard sites cropped incredibly low, given extended fermentations with indigenous yeasts, and rarely touched until they go into the bottle unfined and unfiltered. In most vintages, the wines are not even racked off their lees, which only adds to their natural style. These are truly remarkable wines, but for most readers, patience is the operative rule as they generally need a good 8-10 years to strut their stuff. Once moribund, over the last 12 years, this firm has become one of the reference points for nearly all the Rhone Valley appellations since the brash yet immensely talented Michel Chapoutier took over in the late eighties. The single vineyard offerings are as good as Rhone Valley wines can be. Moreover, Chapoutier continues to upgrade the quality of those wines offered in more significant quantities than the 500 or so cases each of the single vineyard offerings. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 June 2003

Vintage performance