M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2025

M. Chapoutier, the Rhone maison founded in 1808 at Tain-l'Hermitage, works biodynamically and organically across its range. Le Pavillon is a single-varietal Syrah from old vines, vinified to show the depth and concentration the variety reaches on its best sites. Syrah on poor, stony, well-drained soils yields small, thick-skinned berries that concentrate colour, tannin and dark-fruit flavour, while the warm, sunny growing season ripens the fruit fully and a good diurnal range preserves freshness. The wine is aged twenty months in barrel, a long elevage during which slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannin and folds in fine spice and toast without overwhelming the fruit. The colour is deep, near-opaque purple. The nose reveals ripe blackberry and plum with black pepper, dark chocolate, liquorice and a smoky, savoury edge. The palate is full and concentrated, with firm, ripe tannin, good freshness and a long, structured finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour or more. It is built for roasted and grilled red meats.