| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Northern Rhône > Hermitage |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Maison M. Chapoutier
More ripe and flamboyant, the 2016 Ermitage Le Méal has a beautifully rounded, voluptuous yet pure style that's very much in the vintage. Black raspberries, spice, dried flowers, and a touch of minerality all emerge from this incredibly sexy, seamless beauty that has enough tannins and depth to keep for 2-3 decades. It's an opulent, hedonistic dream of a wine to enjoy over the coming 2-3 decades.
Attractively bright and fresh on the nose, the 2016 Ermitage le Meal is full-bodied yet creamy and supple in feel. Because of its greater level of ripeness, Chapoutier explains that it's aged in 50% demi-muids to lessen the oak influence, and indeed the wine isn't cedary at all. Espresso and mocha shadings give a savory cast to the bold blackberry fruit, while the texture turns to pure velvet on the long finish.
The 2016 Ermitage le Meal shows distinctly more crushed stone character than Les Greffieux, but it still maintains a strong fruit component. Cassis, blackberries and raspberries all mingle on the palate of this full-bodied, tannic and richly concentrated wine, lingering on the layered, velvety finish. It should be approachable by 2025 and drink well for 15 years after that. Drink Date 2025 - 2040
