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THE WINE : 2005 LE CHEVAL FOU HERMITAGE

The first plantings of syrah in Hermitage date as far back as the 10th century; and the region itself is tiny—comprising a mere 311 acres, all owned and controlled by fewer than 10 local families. Our equity partner in this effort to bring you a world class wine is renowned viticulturist and wine maker, Michel Chapoutier!

The 2005 Le Cheval Fou, harvested on September 21, is made from 100% bio dynamically farmed and vinified syrah grapes, exemplifying the immense power and elegance of the great Hermitage wines. Opaque purple in color, this wine flaunts an enticing bouquet of wild flower, crème de cassis and sour cherries. On the palate, you’ll be impressed by its gripping tannins and muscular style, as well as its pure, opulent notes of blackberry intermixed with truffles, smoky bacon and spice with an intense undercurrent of minerality which typifies its terroir. The’05 Le Cheval Fou spent 18 months in a combination of French oak cooperage.

Gregory Viennois, consulting wine maker for Maison Chapoutier and Ferraton Vineyards, notes “The ’05 Le Cheval Fou is very typical of the extraordinary fruit grown on the Ferraton hillside of the Hermitage appellation. The vineyard is ageing gracefully and the wines are exhibiting all the unique characteristics of the limestone deposit in the terroir. The ’06, now in barrels, shows even more remarkable maturity and I expect Le Cheval Fou to become a collector’s wine….approachable today, yet continuing to develop and age well over the next 25 years.”