Michel Chapoutier is one of the well know producers in the Rhône. Drinking his wines is not something I do often. I normally look for more obscure wines and small production producers. There are exceptions to this and benchmark wines are one of those exceptions.
The 1995 Monier de la Sizeranne Hermitage is a benchmark wine. It screams of Syrah and of what you should expect out of a well aged Hermitage from a great producer. The smell was intoxicating with notes of wild herbs, smoke, leather, blood, bacon fat and wild game. It also has a touch of aged Burgundian barnyard quality. Plenty of vibrancy and life left in this wine.
The benchmark wines are what can assist in sharping ones palate. It is important to taste them to understand how and what a wine should be like from that specific area in that specific year. I am thankful to be able to taste this iconic wine with friends and would happily do it over and over agin.
Originally posted to instagram.com/culinairegourmet