Wines from M Chapoutier with Lambert Rollat
Lambert Rollat from Chapoutier conducted two events last week, the tasting at Federal and dinner at Bar Boloud, with all the aplomb the wines deserved.
January 22, 2020
The two ‘simpler’ whites surprised many people. The all Viognier La Combe Pilate Blanc was full and vibran, a classicly balanced rendition of the grape. The all Marsanne Crozes Hermitage Blanc Petite Ruche showed the dusty quince of the grape and was a fine foil to to the canapes. At the dinner. The 2016 St. Joseph Blanc les Granites was superb with the dinner scallops. It sold out , but we can offer the 2017 to arrive in a few weeks
The tasting featured the tasting very pretty 2016 Crozes Hermitage Rouge Petite Ruche Rouge, but then two major reds stole the show at both tasting and dinner. The
2016 Chateauneuf du Pape” La Bernadine was granular band smooth with rather dense fruit, a classic version of the wine. The 2012 Hermitage la Sizeranne drinks very well now. It went perfectly with the dinner filet mignon. It is remarkably forward , complex and succulent now, and will hold for another five to ten years.
Banyuls is Roussillon’s answer to port with a Mediterranean softness while port has an Atlantic rigor All Grenache, it is lower in alcohol than port and had a love affair with the chocolate torte at the dinner. Valentine’s Day is coming
Chapoutier
White
2017 La Combe Pilate Blanc Viognier Wine Advocate “aromas of struck flint, floral notes, hints of tobacco and fresh apricot. Only medium-bodied, it's fresh, lively and varietally distinct, with a fast-fading finish” 29.99; Mixed Case, 26.99; Case, 25.49
2017 Crozes Hermitage Blanc Petite Ruche Wine Advocate a great sense of freshness for such a warm vintage. Pineapple and melon notes add intriguing hints of white pepper on the medium to full-bodied palate, and there's a chalky-zesty feel to the finish. 29.99; Mixed Case, 26.99; Case, 25.49
Red
2016 Crozes Hermitage Rouge Petite Ruche Wine Advocate Tar and black black olive notes accent the ripe black cherries on the nose .... It's medium to full-bodied, with an easygoing, open-knit feel and plenty of blackberry fruit on the finish. 29.99; Mixed Case, 26.99; Case, 25.49
2016 Chateauneuf du Pape” La Bernadine Wine Advocate “Loaded with black cherry fruit, it's full-bodied, rich and velvety yet not overdone, showing subtle dried spice notes and a long, fresh finish. It should drink well for a decade. 65; Mixed Case, 58.5; Case, 55.25
Sweet
2017 Banyuls 28.99; Mixed Case, 26.09; Case, 24.64
Chapoutier Case: Special, Three each of the whites two each of the others above wines - 396
Chapoutier Pack: Special, three whites one each red and Sweet above wines - $210
Or Mix any 12 for 15% off
Any 6 for 10% off
2012 Hermitage “ la Sizeranne” Jeb Dunnock Outstanding stuff, it has lots of smoked herbs, saddle leather, pepper and minerality to go with a solid core of raspberry/blackberry fruit. Fleshy, ripe and textured, with fantastic purity, it's a pleasure-bent effort to drink over the coming 7-8 years.”$179 Special $149 NET
We have also have a few bottles of two of Chapoutier vaunted Selection Parcellaire wines
2014 Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois Jeb Dunnock “Another smoking good 2014 … which like always, is 100% Grenache that comes from a site on the eastern side of the appellation, near the village of Bédarrides. Completely destemmed and aged 16 months in concrete, it offers the expected forward, fruity style of the cuvée as well as classic notes Bing cherries, blackberries, spring flowers and hints of leather.” $125 Net
2015 Ermitage Le Meal Wine Advocate “When in the course of a tasting session one is confronted by a wine that stands above the others, I find it impossible to give more than a single perfect score. So the 2015 Ermitage le Meal gets a "consolation prize". Full-bodied and intense, loaded with blackberry fruit that pushes the limits of ripeness and richness, this incredible wine retains such fine details as hints of crushed stone, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Unless it shuts down, it should be drinkable by 2025 and give pleasure for many years to come.” $275 Net
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
