1 bottle (85 CHF) Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne 2003 Vintage: 2003 Colour: Red Origin: France - Rhône Valley - Northern Rhône - Hermitage Alc % by Vol: 15% Jean-Michel Deluc: Robert Parker: 90-93/100

Our opinion

This Hermitage cuvée is quite simply a work of art. Of course, the wine is still quite young, but all the elements are there to offer a splendid bottle to be enjoyed over the next few months. Maturity, finesse and freshness combine with power and velvety smoothness resulting in a wine of outstanding quality that would be the perfect accompaniment to dishes full of flavour such as game.

Description

Since being taken over by Michel Chapoutier, this well-established house based in Tain l'Hermitage has ranked among the undisputed champions of wines from the Rhône Valley. Acclaimed by the international press, praised by Robert Parker, Chapoutier is committed to innovation and on-going research into bringing out the finest expressions of the region's magnificent terroir. This is an exceptional opportunity to discover or revisit the whole range of wines from this dynamic, progressive region. Made from a blend of the very best terroirs on the Hermitage slopes, this wine is the true reflection of it's appellation – rich, complex, powerful and with great potential for ageing.

Tips on service

• Conservation: for laying down
• At its best in: 2010
• To decant: 2 hours
• Serve at 17°

Food and wine matching

Roast game, hare, wild boar, young deer, grilled side of beef served with honey, strong cheeses.

Tasting notes

By Jean Michel Deluc : Master Sommelier

Eye - A wine of ruby colour and good intensity with nuances in colour shading from aubergine to more tender shades at the edge of the glass. Glints of violet bear witness to the youth of this wine. It is bright, rendered opaque due to its density of colour and displays superb concentration. This wine's strength is already easy to see.
Nose - On the nose, the wine appears quite discreet at first before opening bit by bit with ripe notes of blackcurrants, raspberries, redcurrants and woodland strawberries. These are followed by discreet, elegant notes of barrel ageing including light tobacco, cinnamon, vanilla and pepper. The Syrah grape is particularly evident, with notes of liquorice and violets. A very promising nose, that you can be sure of!
Palate - The attack on the palate is soft, smooth and luxuriously velvety with the same ripe fruity notes that were found on the nose. Despite the opulence and generosity of the vintage, the wine appears balanced and offers a liquorice and mentholated acidity on the mid-palate. Fine, silky tannins appear to blend seamlessly with the richness of the structure. Good length ending on notes of liquorice and pepper.