Chapoutier Ermitage Vin de Paille 1999 (Demi-Blle)

Wineadvocate

There are limited cuvees of Chapoutier's sweet, oily, viscous vin de paille. The amber-colored 1999 Ermitage Vin de Paille reveals more new oak than expected, but it had just finished fermentation and perhaps is not as seamless as it will be in several years. It is made from grapes harvested in late October/early November, and kept on straw mats for two months prior to being crushed and vinified. This wine can last one-hundred plus years.

Vinous

(this is just under 14% alcohol with about 130 grams per liter of residual sugar) Orange-gold color, with a reddish tinge. High-toned, carnal aromas of quince jam, orange peel, toffee and raisiny dried fruits; shows a strong Tokaji-like aspect. Superconcentrated and sweet but not particularly glyceral, with firm acids giving the wine an uncanny lightness. Strong notes of game and truffle. Finishes extremely long and honeyed. A distinctly volatile but thoroughly fascinating sweet wine.