Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Best 12 to 35 years from vintage.
vintage12 yrs35 yrs37 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryVery Long, Mineral Driven finish

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.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. 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.

  1. 1990: First vintage of L'Ermite from the summit parcel of the Hermitage hill

Facts

Producer
M. Chapoutier · visiting guide
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.

Tags

biodynamic biodynamic certified cellar worthy cult wine dry firm tannin full body grand cru high acid iconic mood contemplative occasion cellar occasion gift occasion special old vines old world organic pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat price luxury single vineyard still red syrah

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