In the glass
Aroma: violet, dried meat, pepper, stone mineral, dark plum
Palate: concentrated dark fruit, mineral granite, fine firm tannins, spice, extraordinary length
From the L'Ermite parcel at the summit of the Hermitage hill, the most mineral and austere of Chapoutier's single-parcel reds. Demands the longest cellaring.
What it pairs with
-
Rack of lamb with anchovy and rosemary crust
The salt and mineral character in the wine finds an anchor in the anchovy-lamb combination. -
Wild boar sausage with lentils
Rustic fare with enough depth to meet the wine's mineral concentration. -
Aged Gruyere
Firm, nutty cheese softens the wine's muscular tannins.
How to serve Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Rack of lamb with anchovy and rosemary crust, Wild boar sausage with lentils, Aged Gruyere. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
L'Ermite is named for the hermit who historically lived on the Hermitage hill. The parcel sits at the highest point of the hill and produces the most mineral of Chapoutier's single-vineyard Hermitage reds.
- 1990 — First vintage of L'Ermite from the summit parcel of the Hermitage hill
Facts
- Producer
- M. Chapoutier
- Grapes
- Syrah (100%)
- Classification
- Hermitage AOC
- Oak
- 18 months in new French oak demi-muids
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 250-400 at retail
- Drinking window
- 12-35 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990
- Biodynamic
- Demeter Certified
- Organic
- ECOCERT
Frequently asked about Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge
What does Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge taste like?
On the nose, violet, dried meat, pepper, stone mineral, dark plum. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit, mineral granite, fine firm tannins, spice, extraordinary length. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a very long, mineral driven finish. From the L'Ermite parcel at the summit of the Hermitage hill, the most mineral and austere of Chapoutier's single-parcel reds. Demands the longest cellaring.
When should I drink Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge?
Drink 12-35 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge?
Rack of lamb with anchovy and rosemary crust is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Wild boar sausage with lentils and Aged Gruyere. The salt and mineral character in the wine finds an anchor in the anchovy-lamb combination.
What grapes are in Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge?
The blend is Syrah (100%). The wine is classified as Hermitage AOC.