A single bottle of ‘La Chapelle’, In a wooden box.
97 pointsJames Suckling
A gorgeous intensity of plum, spice and grilled meat on the nose. Cloves and hints of dried spices. This is a big, structured La Chappelle. Full and powerful with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. A bit austere and muscular but gorgeous. Tar, spice, dried meat and asphalt. This is another 1991 in the making.
94 pointsJeb Dunnuck
I’ve always loved this vintage in the Northern Rhne, which has a sunny, charming, sexy style while always staying light on its feet. The 2011 Hermitage La Chapelle displays a youthful ruby hue to go with plenty of sun-kissed notes of ripe red and black fruits, peppery herbs, sandalwood, fennel, and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, its shed most of its baby fat and has an elegant, seamless mouthfeel, reasonable mid-palate density, and still present, ripe tannins that show on the finish. It’s a beautiful, complex, satisfying Hermitage that’s reminiscent of the 1991 with its balance and weight.
94 pointsVinous
Inky ruby. Heady aromas of candied dark berries, incense, violet and licorice, with a smoky topnote that gains strength with aeration. Offers sweet, palate-staining blueberry and cherry-cola flavors that are lifted and sharpened by juicy acidity. Broad, supple and spicy on the finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins and sexy floral pastille and spicecake nuances. This wine is one of the standouts of the vintage in the entire Rhone Valley this vintage. (JR)
94 pointsWine & Spirits
Now this is Hermitage. From old vines planted in some of Hermitages most exalted parcels (Les Bessards, Les Greffieux, Le Mal and Les Rocoules), its chewy and ferrous, the gritty tannins holding an animal grip and the bacon-fat scent to go with them. Its as if fruit is beside the point, a mere vehicle for more important things, like talking about where this comes from. Monumental and real.
92-94 pointsWine Advocate
The 2011 Hermitage La Chapelle represents about one-third of the production. It could turn out to be a modern day replay of the 1991. Aged in small oak (around one-third to one-half new), this wine comes from the estates extensive holdings in Le Meal as well as smaller holdings in Les Bessards and Les Rocoules. It boasts a dense purple color along with a big, sweet nose of graphite, licorice, forest floor, pepper, blackberries and hints of smoked duck and charcuterie. (RP)
