Côte-Rôtie La Mordorée - 2006
Chapoutier
- Region
- France » Rhône » Côte-Rôtie AOC
- Type
- red still, dry
- Producer
- Chapoutier
- Vintage
- 2006
- Grapes
- Syrah
- Alcohol
- 13.5
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
- Find at
This wine is a pure Syrah, made from vines with an average age exceeding 60 years. These venerable vines are deeply rooted in a unique soil composition of chlorite and ferruginous mica-schists, interspersed with loess depressions and earth veins. The vineyard plot, located on the fringe of the Côte Blonde, contributes to the distinct character of the wine. In the vinification process, the grapes are entirely destemmed and vinified in concrete tanks. Daily pumping over is conducted to ensure thorough extraction of color and tannins, with the fermentation temperature carefully maintained below 32°C. Only the free-run juice is selected for this wine. The aging process is carried out entirely in oak casks (225 liters), with a varying proportion of new barrels, lasting between 14 and 18 months.
Ratings
4.4·@MI6 · Roasted Slopes
Tasting this wine following a lineup of 10 wines by Guigal was a fascinating experience. While Guigal represents an old-school, conventional style in the best sense, this Chapoutier wine leans towards a more modern approach, reminiscent of low-intervention winemaking, evoking memories of Dario Prinčič's Merlot 2007. This comparison bears no negative connotations though.
The wine itself presents an intriguing bouquet, filled with tapenade, ripe plum, dark fruits jam, spices, and barnyard notes. There's a slight elevation from VA, but it's so well-integrated that it enhances rather than detracts from the overall profile. The wine is sophisticated, juicy, and persistent, concluding with a long aftertaste. It's a testament to the diversity and richness that different winemaking philosophies can bring to the experience.