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Lot 25
Triumph and Tradition
1 – 1997 Chapoutier Collector Case
containing six (6) bottles of the best wines produced by single vineyard estates
(Ermitage l’Ermite, Côte-Rôtie La Mordorée, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe-Rac,
Ermitage Cuvée De l’Orée, Ermitage Le Méal blanc and Saint-Joseph Les Granits)
Three (3) day wine cruise down the Rhône River for two (2) people
Special vineyard tours & tastings
Two (2) nights atop the Hermitage hill in Michel Chapoutier’s VIP apartment
Special dinner prepared by 3-star Michelin chef, Anne-Sophie Pic
In the staid world of French wines, progress can come at
a snail’s pace. But no one ever bothered to tell that to Michel Chapoutier. In
less than 10 years, the house of Chapoutier, under Michel’s leadership, vision
and whirlwind energy, has not only ascended into the elite rank of Northern
Rhône’s producers, but has fashioned some of the finest red and white Hermitages
in the history of that granitic hill while doing so.
It is fitting that someone as dynamic as Michel Chapoutier is a firm believer in
a bio-dynamic approach to viticulture. At his direction, an amazing amount of
effort and expense has been poured into its vineyards. The wines are the product
of low-yielding old vines and the use of indigenous yeast during low temperature
fermentation. The aim: to maximize the bouquet and extract structure without
undue heaviness.
Michel’s complex, yet graceful Hermitage Blanc called Cuvée De l’Orée and his
dense, exuberant and expressive Hermitage Rouge cuveés have become standard
bearers for Hermitage’s luxury wines. Commenting on the famed 1997 Cuvée De
l’Orée after awarding it 98-100 points, Robert Parker, Jr. exclaimed “this wine
flirts with perfection…it is as rich and multidimensional as the fullest, most
massive Montrachet money can buy.” In short, this wine must be tasted to be
believed.
The esteemed 1997 l’Orée is presented, along with its single vineyard brethren
in a rare Chapoutier horizontal from this superlative vintage. In a real
treasure trove, each of Chapoutier’s “Selections Parcellaires” is represented -
one each of its Saint-Joseph Les Granits, Hermitage Le Méal, Côte-Rôtie La
Mordorée, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe-Rac, Ermitage l’Ermite and Ermitage De
l’Orée. This collection, the “Jubilee 1997,” comes in a unique collector’s case
numbered and signed by Michel.
This collection of Rhone perfection doesn’t end with Chapoutier’s wines, as the
winning bidder and a guest are invited to live the life of Rhône Royalty - a
wine cruise on the Rhône River, followed by a weekend atop the famed hill of
Hermitage at Michel Chapoutier’s VIP apartment. Spend three glorious days
cruising the Rhône from South to North. All lunches and dinners will be
pairing-oriented and your days will incorporate special wine tastings and
vineyard visits. During your weekend on the hill, come down for an evening for
the cuisine of Chef Anne-Sophie Pic. The first female chef to win a third
Michelin star in over 56 years, the triumph of Chef Pic was also a victory for
family tradition as she is the fourth generation to cook at Maison Pic.
Insider’s Info: Airfare to France is not included. Visit to be scheduled
on a mutually agreeable date between April 1 and June 30, 2008.
DONOR: Michel Chapoutier of
M. Chapoutier Winery
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