Ermitage Le Pavillon, Maison M. Chapoutier 1991

The 1991 Hermitage La Pavillon follows the pattern of the 1989 and 1990 - it is another perfect wine. The saturated black/purple color is followed by a compelling bouquet of spices, roasted meats, and black and red fruits. Enormously concentrated yet with brilliant focus and delineation to its awesomely-endowed personality, this extraordinary wine should age effortlessly for three plus decades.In a short period of time (Michel's first vintage was 1989) Chapoutier's Hermitage Le Pavillon has become a wine of mythical proportions. Produced from extremely old vines, some dating from the mid nineteenth century, with yields averaging under 15 hectoliters per hectare, this is the richest, most concentrated and profound wine made in Hermitage. There are rarely more than 500 cases.Chapoutier is proud to boast that while he is now the largest vineyard owner in Hermitage (85 acres, or about one-fourth of the entire appellation), he is only third when it comes to wine production!