M. Chapoutier : Le Pavillon 2018

The complexity and aromatic richness of a fine red wine from Ermitage by M. Chapoutier

The estate

Established since 1808 in Tain-L'Hermitage, M. Chapoutier is an elite reference among fine Rhône Valley wines today.

Winemaker and wine merchant, Michel Chapoutier has successfully brought this family-owned business to the very top. The wines by Maison Chapoutier are renowned by the finest connoisseurs from all around the world for their refinement and high quality. A man of many talents, Michel Chapoutier holds the world record for 100/100 scores awarded by the American critic, Robert Parker. Mathilde, Michel Chapoutier's daughter, has taken over the running of this iconic house, which has over 350 hectares of vineyards in the most prestigious appellations of the northern and southern Rhône Valley region.

The vineyard

This Ermitage Le Pavillon by M. Chapoutier is made from a parcel of approximately 4 hectares which owes its uniqueness to its atypical geology consisting of a thin layer of sediments resting on a granitic subsoil. The grapes produced from this vineyard of old vines, 65 years old on average, are renowned for their high quality.

Vinification and ageing

With a low yield, these old vines are harvested by hand, at the limit of over-ripeness. The grapes are 100% destemmed and then vinified in concrete vats with one or two punchings of the cap per day to ensure optimal extraction. Maceration for 4 to 5 weeks.

Made exclusively from free-run wine, this parcel-based wine is aged for 18 to 20 months in oak barrels (of which an average of 30% are new). Clarification is natural.

The blend

Mr Chapoutier's 2018 Pavillon is a 100% Syrah.

Le Pavillon 2018 by M. Chapoutier: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Although this great Ermitage wine may still seem introverted today, its delicate tannins, its tension and its aromatic palette combining hints of Indian ink, graphite, black fruits and black pepper guarantee an exceptional evolution over the decades.

Cellaring

M. Chapoutier's Pavillon 2018 can be cellared for several decades to express its full aromatic range.