He recently covered the 2011 vintage from the northern part and added some more exceptional scores after the last two outstanding vintages: 2009 and 2010. And guess who was the big winner, by far, in the northern rhone? Maison M.Chapoutier. With 12 scores between 95 and 100-point, Maison M.Chapoutier continues to lead the region and Michel Chapoutier strengthens his position as the “The Man with the most 100-point wines in the World”.
Robert Parker: “In November of this year, Michel Chapoutier finally made the cover of The Wine Spectator. The accompanying article said essentially the same things I had written about over twenty years ago. More importantly, I am thrilled that Chapoutier received this attention because it has long been deserved. History will record that Michel Chapoutier is a revolutionary. What he has accomplished over the last two decades or more is one of the great wine stories of the modern era.”
Here are a few scores in this 2011 vintage:
Robert Parker: “Michel Chapoutier is not alone in believing the 2011s may resemble a more modern day version of 1991. The red 2011 selections parcellaires are already fruit-forward and seductive. Readers should love them as they are much more evolved than the more structured, powerful, dense, tannic 2010s.”
2011 Chapoutier Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree – 100
2011 Chapoutier Ermitage le Pavillon – (97-100)
2011 Chapoutier Ermitage le Meal Blanc – 99
2011 Chapoutier Ermitage l’Ermite Blanc – 98+
2011 Chapoutier Ermitage l’Ermite – (95-98)
2011 Chapoutier Condrieu Coteaux du Chery – 97
2011 Chapoutier St Joseph le Clos – (94-97)
2011 Chapoutier Ermitage le Meal – (94-97)
2011 Chapoutier St Joseph les Granits Blanc – 96
2011 Chapoutier Hermitage Chante Alouette – 95
2011 Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage les Varonniers – (93-95)
2011 Chapoutier St Joseph les Granits – (92-95)
Finally, this 100-point wine comes as a cherry on the cake…
2010 Chapoutier Hermitage Vin de Paille – 100 : “Because of a change in French laws, the 2010 Ermitage Vin de Paille will be the last sweet wine made by Chapoutier. Made from 100% Marsanne, this perfect wine exhibits an incredible perfume of truffles, apricot jam and caramelized tangerines. This noble, surgically precise classic can be drunk now or cellared for over 100 years. It is a remarkable wine, and it’s a shame to see this cuvee discontinued.”
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