# L'Ermite Ermitage (2020)

- **Producer:** M. Chapoutier
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Northern Rhône Valley, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €425
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** dried herbs, crushed stone, black cherry, blueberry, black plum, anise, roasted meat, vanilla, espresso, smoke, chocolate, forest floor, mushroom, wet leaves, earth, leather, tobacco

## About this wine

Chapoutier L'Ermite Ermitage 2020 is a 100% Syrah from the prestigious Hermitage AOC in the Northern Rhône Valley. Produced by M. Chapoutier, a historic estate with a legacy dating back to 1808, this wine is a testament to their philosophy of expressing terroir. The grapes are grown on the steep, granite slopes of the Hermitage hill, known for producing wines of depth and longevity. The estate is committed to biodynamic and organic farming, with the L'Ermite vineyard holding Demeter certification. The wine represents a single-vineyard expression, highlighting the unique characteristics of its origin.

## Interesting facts

- Vine age in the L'Ermite vineyard can reach up to 80 years.
- The vineyard is Demeter certified for biodynamic practices.
- The name 'L'Ermite' translates to 'The Hermit', referencing the hill's historical association with solitude.
- This wine is known for its exceptional aging potential, often lasting over 50 years.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and muscular tannins are well-suited to rich proteins, where they can soften and integrate. Flavors of dark fruit and smoke in the wine find echoes in game meats and roasted dishes, while its underlying minerality can cut through richness.

## Wine making process

The winemaking for Chapoutier L'Ermite Ermitage 2020 involves traditional methods focused on expressing the purity of the Syrah grape and its terroir. Grapes are hand-harvested from the Hermitage hill. Fermentation typically occurs in concrete vats, followed by extended maceration to extract key compounds. The wine then ages in oak barrels, with a proportion of new oak, for a period that contributes to its structure and complexity. The estate is committed to biodynamic and organic farming practices, with the L'Ermite vineyard holding Demeter certification.