Grape Variety: 100% Syrah

Growing Region: Rhone Valley, France

Owner / Head Winemaker: Caroline Frey

TASTING NOTE:
This 2010 'La Chapelle' is arguably one of the world's most masterful of blends from this unique and dramatic of terroirs, clinging to the steep slopes above the Rhone. The richness of these diverse parcels craft a wine of incredible complexity and longevity. Each carefully hand-picked parcel is vinified separately, right until the final blending, which takes place once a year with both anticipation and responsibility.

The harvested parcels were brought down the slopes of the Hermitage on small sledges, after which they are sorted and then promptly taken to the winery. La Chapelle is aged in French oak barrels in their cellars for 15 to 18 months, and during this process the wines are racked as required. The final blending is done at the end of this ageing period - through judicious selection from the different terroirs.

In the glass you will be greeted by an intense red colour with a purple glow. In its youthful stage of development this wine is already showing a confident bouquet, intensely perfumed aromas of sweet blueberries, dark cherry and fresh violets, with notes of wild spice and dried herbs. These qualities and characters carry through onto the palate along with flavours of cassis, wild cherry and silky, well integrated tannins and oak, giving the wine its complexity and vibrant nuances that linger on a most pleasing and persistent finish. If opened in the next few years, decant for 45-60 minutes and serve in an appropriate glass at 16-18C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
With decanting approachable; but will appreciate and repay another 15-20 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine pairing with prime red meats, game, stews and seasonal vegetables, enjoy.

An iconic red wine, reclaiming its rightful place.