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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Ermitage wines possess a rich historical past.
They were appreciated as early on as Roman times when they were enjoyed (as well as Côte Rotie wines) under the name of " Vienne wines "and were later to be called " Saint Christopher's hillside wines " because of a chapel there bearing the saint's name. They were also to be known of as " Tournon wines ".
The name of Ermitage probably first appeared in the XVIIth Century in memory of Henry Gaspard, a knight from Stérimberg : who having come back from the Crusades (in the XIIIth Century) and tired of waging war, lived as a hermite on a hillside which had been given to him by Anne of Castille, Queen of Spain.
There he planted a vineyard. Alexander Dumas as well as the Tsar Nicholas II are among the many connoisseurs of this particularly highly estimated wine.
The eponymous vineyard grows on very poor granitic and shallow soils surrounding the chapel of "Ermite" at the top of the hill of Hermitage. The vineyard's elevated position, over 200 metres, allows long ripening at the end of the growing season, and its loess soils provide excellent drainage for rainwater. The age of the vines averages over 80 years. This wine is the most individual statement in the Hermitage appellation, and the most prized for followers of M. Chapoutier's grandest of crus; L'Ermite traditionally produces the most elegant and aromatic Hermitage. It has powerful tannins, smoky notes and black pepper - the perfect expression of Syrah grown on granite soils.
Grape variety
Syrah from 80 year old vines.
Soil
Very poor granite soils, located at the top of the hermitage hill, around the chapel, in a place called the Ermite.
Harvesting
The harvest which is 100% destemmed, is matured in concrete tanks. Fermentation lasts around 4 weeks, to obtain soft and stable tannins to keep the wine for a very long time. The temperature does not exceed 32°C to enable good quality extraction. To make this wine, only the free-run juice is used.
Vinification
The harvest which is 100 % destemmed is matured in a cement vat. Maceration lasts from 5 to 6 weeks. The temperature does not exceed 32°C to enable good quality extraction.
Maturing
After alcoholic and malolactic fermentation the wine is transferred immediately into new casks to be matured from 14 to 18 months. The wine is unfiltered and unfined.
Ageing potential: +25 years
Matching food
Roast beef. Large game.
Wine Information
Hermitage L´Ermite - Chapoutier
History
The name Chapoutier is present in the Rhône Valley since 1808.
In 1879, the distant ancestor Polydor Chapoutier was the first to begin to buy vines, thus moving from the status of wine-grower of an estate to that of a viticulturist, a wine producer and a businessman. The pioneering spirit was already present in the family.
Seven generations later we find Michel, with a real passion for the expression of soils, at the head of this exceptional vineyard firmly anchored in history and traditions.
Hermitage wines possess a rich historical past.
They were appreciated as early on as Roman times when they were enjoyed (as well as Côte Rotie wines) under the name of " Vienne wines "and were later to be called " Saint Christopher's hillside wines " because of a chapel there bearing the saint's name. They were also to be known of as " Tournon wines ".
The name of Hermitage probably first appeared in the XVIIth Century in memory of Henry Gaspard, a knight from Stérimberg : who having come back from the Crusades (in the XIIIth Century) and tired of waging war, lived as a hermite on a hillside which had been given to him by Anne of Castille,Queen of Spain.
There he planted a vineyard. Alexander Dumas as well as the Tsar Nicholas II are among the many connoisseurs of this particularly highly estimated wine.
Convictions
Biodynamics (bio = life dynamics = in action)
Love for vines and wine and the awareness of the need to respect the earth and its terroir have led the Maison M. Chapoutier to adopt a biodynamic cultivation method.
This demanding method of cultivation has become a genuine philosophy for the Maison M. Chapoutier. An unflinching desire: ensure that soils are living and as expressive as possible. As to propose an "appellation d'origine contrôlée" is to propose above all an expression of the terroir. This expression, a transmutation of mineral to plant, can only exist with a terroir that is in good condition, a terroir that is alive.
Soil: granite soil
Production area: Located at the top of the hermitage hill, around the chapel, in a place called the Ermite.
Grape varieties: Syrah
Average vineyard age: 80 years
Harvest method: Hand harvesting which takes place at a late date in order to obtain the natural proof of over 13°C.
Winemaking: The harvest which is 100 % destemmed is matured in a cement vat. Maceration lasts from 5 to 6 weeks. The temperature does not exceed 32°C to enable good quality extraction.
Ageing: After alcoholic and malolactic fermentation the wine is transferred immediately into new casks to be matured from 14 to 18 months. The wine is unfiltered and unfined.
M. Chapoutier
18, av Dr Paul Durand – B.P.38
26601 Tain Cedex
France
Tel. +33 (0) 475 089 261
chapoutier@chapoutier.com