Chapoutier is one of the oldest wine producers in the Rhone Valley with a history dating back to 1808. A distant ancestor, Polydor Chapoutier, was the first to buy vines here, shifting from being a simple grape grower to making and trading his own wine. For the last two hundred years, the estate has been producing some of the greatest wines in the Rhone Valley. Today, the range also includes wines from some Roussillon appellations as well as projects in Portugal and Australia.

Under Michel Chapoutier’s leadership, quality improved and Chapoutier gained international recognition. The massive negociant and winery produces single-vineyard expressions and classic wines from a range of appellations in the north and south of the valley.

They have adopted biodynamic farming techniques and have included Braille markings on their labels since 1996. This was done from a desire to reach out to and include lovers of good wines with sight-impairments, and as a tribute to Maurice Monier of La Sizeranne, a member of the family that previously owned the vines of the same name and who invented the first abbreviated version of Braille.

Chapoutier’s Ermitage le Pavillon is made from syrah vines with an average age of 90+ years. The grapes are hand-harvested, totally de-stemmed, and fermented in concrete tanks. The wine mature in oak casks for 18 to 20 months.

Le Pavillon has a deep garnet red color with purple highlights. It is tarry and smoky on the nose with aromas of raspberry, blackberry, walnut and licorice. The wine has a complex taste and strong attack. It is velvety and balanced, with a long final finish and flavors of liquorice, tobacco and cocoa. Depending on the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years or even from 50 to 75 years.

The 2019 Chapoutier Ermitage le Pavillon is a remarkable wine that showcases the true essence of the Syrah grape variety. Hailing from the prestigious Hermitage appellation in the Northern Rhone region of France, this red wine is a true testament to the craftsmanship of the renowned producer, Chapoutier.

In the glass, this wine displays a deep and intense red color that hints at its power and concentration. On the nose, it immediately captivates with a complex bouquet of black and blue fruits, such as blueberries and blackberries, intertwined with notes of violets, scorched earth, powdered stone, and subtle smoke. These aromas create a captivating symphony of scents that is both enticing and intriguing.

On the palate, the 2019 Chapoutier Ermitage le Pavillon is full-bodied and concentrated, with an incredible opulence that is balanced by precision and finesse. The wine reveals an impressive array of flavors, ranging from luscious blue and black fruits to bitter chocolate, leather, tar, and balsamic vinegar. The fine tannins are well-integrated, providing structure and a velvety texture that lingers on the palate.

Critics have been unanimous in their praise of this wine, with Jeb Dunnuck awarding it a perfect score of 100 points. He describes it as the "star of the show" and one of the wines of the great 2019 vintage. Decanter also gives it a high score of 98 points, praising its silky and flowing style, while Wine Advocate and James Suckling both award it 98 points, highlighting its immense concentration and promising future. Wine Spectator and Vinous also join in the chorus of acclaim, awarding it scores of 97 points each and praising its vibrant fruit, complexity, and long, mineral-driven finish.

The 2019 Chapoutier Ermitage le Pavillon is a wine that demands patience and will reward those who cellar it for at least 7-8 years, if not longer. With its incredible aging potential, it has the potential to evolve and develop for decades, becoming a true collector's item. This is a wine that embodies the concept of the Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove, combining power and finesse in a way that is truly magical.