WTN: Chapoutier Monier de la Sizeranne Hermitage 1991

[Sue Courtney]

Chapoutier Monier de La Sizeranne Hermitage 1991

<img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/userpix/58_sizeranne_1.jpg" align="right">A garnet colour, an orange tinged deep red garnet, an orange-red spessartine garnet on the edges with flashes of deeper black-red almandine garnet in the much denser, deeper core.

It smells rich and vinous, savoury and spicy, becoming more and more fragrant with a potpourri of dried rose petals and cinnamon and cedar shavings with time in the glass. It seems a little hard when first put in the mouth but it becomes rich and chocolatey with a deep sense of spice - there's subtle star anise, hints of ground coriander, nutmeg and pepper. It's cedary and savoury with a meaty richness and a tarry undercurrent and the initial, surprisingly firm, tannins melt away into the stewed plum fruit that still has some acidity present, a sign that this wine could have hung in there for quite a while longer.
It has a mouth filling, full-bodied texture and, as well as a touch of bitter chocolate, there are hints of black liquorice and summer pudding with little gem-like bursts of juiciness adding a vinous sweetness to the long, long, mellow finish.

Good thing the aftertaste hangs in there as I want this wine to last as long as possible, and it’s so delicious that before I know it, it will all be gone. Restraint is needed. Uh, oh, what is restraint?

Wanting something spicy to accompany the wine, we chose Boerewors sausages, a South African orgin sausage with a smoky spicy flavour - a very good match. I also loved it accompanied to a piece of creamy cheddar spread with a friend's homemade red guava and chilli jelly.

13% alcohol. Cork closure. Cost price about NZ$80.

Tasted 26th January 2007

[Michael K]

I agree with this. I've also had the 1990 recently and it is showing VERY WELL!! Very tough to keep your hands off those. Got an '89 that I plan to open next month. I'll post once I get note on this.

[Sue Courtney]

Hi Michael,
Sounds like a virtual Sizeranne vertical coming up. I have a 1992, although the vintage was not very good, and with my 1991 note and Bob's 1996 note and your 1990 and pending 1989, the vertical is taking shape.
Cheers,
Sue

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Hi Sue....sure sounds like `01 is a big step up on my `06!!!!