M. Chapoutier
Les Greffieux Ermitage Syrah
Hermitage, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
92-93
This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.
Zero experience with this cuvee from Chapoutier. Not sure if this was in a dumb phase but I was expecting a little bit more. Score reflects potential (at almost 12yrs, I'm sure this is still on the upswing) but it didn't present many syrah characteristics. It did, however, present very Hermitage-like (more leather, aged Bordeaux, slightly bretty). Deep purple in the glass with saddle leather, kiss of brett, black currant, charcoal and dark florals aromatically. It has a nice mid-weight on the palate and gives a nod to old world syrah with some savory and herbal notes without oak poking out, but it seemed more like a wine that was just "there" as opposed to showing a lot of character. By the time the last glass was finished, it had close to four hours of air (and 2014s don't need a lot of air to strut) so maybe it was simply in a slightly shut down phase.
92-93
This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.
Zero experience with this cuvee from Chapoutier. Not sure if this was in a dumb phase but I was expecting a little bit more. Score reflects potential (at almost 12yrs, I'm sure this is still on the upswing) but it didn't present many syrah characteristics. It did, however, present very Hermitage-like (more leather, aged Bordeaux, slightly bretty). Deep purple in the glass with saddle leather, kiss of brett, black currant, charcoal and dark florals aromatically. It has a nice mid-weight on the palate and gives a nod to old world syrah with some savory and herbal notes without oak poking out, but it seemed more like a wine that was just "there" as opposed to showing a lot of character. By the time the last glass was finished, it had close to four hours of air (and 2014s don't need a lot of air to strut) so maybe it was simply in a slightly shut down phase.
This is a very tannic 11 year old Syrah from Northern Rhône.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Showing red fruits with earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco, graphite, dark coffee, light barnyard and peppercorn.
Grippy finish with raspberries.
Needs many more years to mature properly.
100% Syrah grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$150.
This is a very tannic 11 year old Syrah from Northern Rhône.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Showing red fruits with earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco, graphite, dark coffee, light barnyard and peppercorn.
Grippy finish with raspberries.
Needs many more years to mature properly.
100% Syrah grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$150.
Gorgeous fruit. Hints of spice, licorice, meaty plums and blood. Dried herbs. Supple and delicious with great balance. Inky and intense but open now and enjoyable.
Gorgeous fruit. Hints of spice, licorice, meaty plums and blood. Dried herbs. Supple and delicious with great balance. Inky and intense but open now and enjoyable.
Nov 27th, 2020Spicy, complex and surprisingly approachable for a young Hermitage. #syrah #chapoutier
Spicy, complex and surprisingly approachable for a young Hermitage. #syrah #chapoutier
Sep 7th, 2016
Very CA like. Ripe, fresh and more new oak than the others. Juicy blackberries, dark raspberries, black plum, blueberries, softer dark minerality, leather.
Very CA like. Ripe, fresh and more new oak than the others. Juicy blackberries, dark raspberries, black plum, blueberries, softer dark minerality, leather.
Apr 10th, 2016Wiff of brett but drinking exceptionally well
Wiff of brett but drinking exceptionally well
Jul 29th, 2015
Hot on the nose. A little brett, a lot of acid.
Hot on the nose. A little brett, a lot of acid.
Feb 19th, 2014
As delicious a day later as it was last night. Finishing off the bottle leftovers.
As delicious a day later as it was last night. Finishing off the bottle leftovers.
Dec 11th, 2013
Meaty, nice salinity. Tasted at NYWE 2025.
Meaty, nice salinity. Tasted at NYWE 2025.
Oct 18th, 2025
A super solid NRhone. All the telltale signs meaty/savory with dark fruit in an elegant package. My only issue was the intensity. Maybe asking too much.
A super solid NRhone. All the telltale signs meaty/savory with dark fruit in an elegant package. My only issue was the intensity. Maybe asking too much.
Mar 23rd, 2025