M. Chapoutier : Le Pavillon 2025

Characteristics and tasting advice for Pavillon 2025 by M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Appearance
Remarkably deep, the wine displays an intense black color with purple highlights.

Nose
The nose, both powerful and refined, reveals great complexity, blending graphite, black fruit coulis, and tapenade, enhanced by hints of asphalt. Floral notes of violet and touches of wild berries elegantly enrich the whole.

Palate
The palate charms with its precision and energy, supported by a lovely freshness. The tannins, both enveloping and velvety, reflect great finesse. The texture, noble and pure, is accompanied by delicate notes of citrus peel. The long, persistent finish unfolds with nuances of sweet spices, violet, black pepper, and fresh fruit.

A complex and delicate red Ermitage wine

The estate

Founded in 1808 in the Rhône Valley, the House of M. Chapoutier stands as a major reference in French viticulture. Under the leadership of Michel Chapoutier, it committed to biodynamic practices as early as the 1990s and helped develop single-parcel selections. Today, Mathilde and Maxime Chapoutier continue this vision based on respect for the terroir. The estate spans numerous appellations, with a historic presence on the Hermitage hill.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes from a parcel of around four hectares located in the lieu-dit Les Bessards, within the Ermitage appellation. The vines, averaging 65 years of age and reaching nearly 100 years for some, are rooted in granite soils covered with sediment. Managed biodynamically and certified Demeter, the vineyard maintains controlled yields of around 15 hectoliters per hectare. Due to the steep terrain, all operations, including the harvest, are carried out manually.

The vintage

A vintage beginning with a rather mild and very rainy winter, building good water reserves, followed by prolonged cold that delayed budbreak and reduced the risk of frost. Spring, alternating between rain and sunshine, led to strong vegetative growth and increased vine pressure, with early flowering but few clusters. The summer was marked by two heatwaves and a hail episode in Crozes-Hermitage, causing some losses. The harvest, early from mid-August, was spread out thanks to late-August rains that refined ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Pavillon 2025 are fully destemmed, then macerated for four to six weeks in open concrete vats, with regular manual punch-downs. Aging then continues for 18 to 20 months in French oak barrels, around 30% of which are new. The wine is then naturally clarified, without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

Pavillon 2025 by M. Chapoutier is made exclusively from Syrah.