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Ermitage Le Meal Rouge, Maison M. Chapoutier 1999

Tasting Notes

95
Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, November 2016

Superior to both the 2000 and 2001, the 1999 Ermitage le Meal is more in the style of the 2005 (and maybe 2001) with its terrific concentration and depth paired with vibrant freshness and purity. Still ruby, opaque colored, it reveals sensational notes of black raspberries, currants, graphite, crushed rocks and pepper. Full-bodied, concentrated and focused, with a fabulous mid-palate and finish, this is a drop-dead gorgeous Hermitage to enjoy anytime over the coming 2-3 decades.

96
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, September 2015

Lush, round and seductive. Subtle at first, with ripe fruit, mineral, wet earth and roasted game. Endless finish.

Per-Henrik Mansson, Wine Spectator (15 Dec 01), December 2001
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The 1999 Ermitage Le Meal will not be ready to drink for at least fifteen years. One must admire Michel Chapoutier for fashioning a wine that goes against the modern day predilection for wines of immediate gratification. This effort is reminiscent of Bordeaux's famed Chateau Ausone. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by subtle notions of powdered stone, chalk, violets, cassis, graphite, and pepper. The wine is dense, tough-textured, tight, and tannic. It possesses considerable weight and depth, but it is not revealing the opulence it did last year. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050.

With respect to Chapoutier's red wines, 2000 was a very fine vintage. Interestingly, this offering revealed more fat and flesh than many of his northern Rhone peers.

93+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (140), April 2002

The 1999 Ermitage Le Meal rouge was one of the most profound Hermitages I tasted from this vintage. Dominated by fruit and glycerin, is a huge effort, with extraordinary balance, depth, and concentration. Tell-tale creme de cassis, smoke, liquified stones, and blackberry notes are present in this low acid, opulent 1999. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2050.

96/98
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (133), February 2001
95
Per-Henrik Mansson, Wine Spectator, December 2001
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.