Chapoutier, Ermitage Vin Paille other_regions melony fruit on the palate

melony fruit on the palate

earthiness and dark fruit

with terrific balance

Stefan Kraml met me well before eight o’clock on a mid-August morning with an air of quiet confidence and near nonchalance that tipped me off to what would follow

Chapoutier, Ermitage Vin Paille other_regions melony fruit on the palateThe 2003 Hermitage Vin de Paille was spectacular. Made from straw dried Marsanne and aged all in new oak, it offers incredible notes of caramelized tropical fruits, quince, brioche, cigar and honeycomb to go with a unctuous, thick and chewy profile on the palate that somehow stays fresh and lively. Almost requiring a fork as opposed to a glass, it will most likely be indestructible in the cellar and can be enjoyed anytime over the coming century.