M.Chapoutier Monier de la Sizeranne

Monier de la Sizeranne is a classic expression of Hermitage, made entirely from Syrah and bringing together some of the appellation’s most celebrated terroirs. Powerful yet composed, it captures the depth of the hill while retaining the elegance, freshness and aromatic detail that define great northern Rhône Syrah.

M.Chapoutier

The story of M. Chapoutier begins in 1808 in the Rhône Valley, but its modern identity has been shaped by Michel Chapoutier, who took over the family Maison in 1990. Curious, unconventional and never particularly interested in following convention for its own sake, Michel set out to make wines that reveal the character of their origins as clearly as possible.

At the heart of Chapoutier is Hermitage, where the steep slopes above the Rhône provide some of the Maison’s most celebrated wines. Michel pioneered the estate’s Sélections Parcellaires, individual vineyard wines conceived as precise expressions of a particular grape, vintage and terroir.

He was also an early advocate of biodynamic viticulture, introducing the approach to the estate in 1991. For Chapoutier, working biodynamically begins with observation: understanding the soil, the plant and its surrounding ecosystem, and intervening with respect rather than attempting to impose a style upon the vineyard.

That independent spirit extends beyond the vineyard. Since 1996, every M. Chapoutier label has carried information in Braille, originally introduced as a tribute to Maurice Monier de la Sizeranne, whose family once owned a parcel on the hill of Hermitage. Today it has become one of the Maison’s signatures.

Now joined by a new generation of the Chapoutier family, the Maison continues to work from the Rhône while exploring terroirs far beyond it. The philosophy, however, remains remarkably simple: Fac & Spera, meaning Do & Hope.

The Wine

The wine draws on three historic sectors of the Hermitage hill: Bessards, Méal and Greffieux. Their contrasting geology brings together sedimentary soils of alluvium, loess and rounded stones with granite in varying stages of decomposition. Rather than expressing a single parcel, Sizeranne brings these different faces of Hermitage together in one wine.

Formulation

The Syrah is harvested by hand at optimal maturity and completely destemmed before fermentation in small concrete vats. Indigenous yeasts, moderate sulphur and a three-to-four-week maceration allow the wine to build depth and structure gradually, without losing the character of the fruit.
The wine matures for around 18 months entirely in casks and small wooden barrels, with just 15% new oak. The restrained use of new wood gives the Syrah time to develop texture and complexity while keeping the fruit, spice and character of Hermitage firmly at the centre.

Aroma

Deep and expressive, with raspberry and blackcurrant at its core, followed by a distinctive note of liquorice. The fruit is ripe and concentrated, but the aromatic profile remains clear and beautifully defined.

Palate

Round and elegant, with concentrated yet supple tannins giving the wine both structure and polish. Blackcurrant and raspberry return on the palate, joined by the peppery spice so characteristic of Syrah. The finish is persistent, balancing richness with a distinctly savoury edge.

Grapes

100% Syrah

Goes Well With

Sizeranne has the depth for richly flavoured meat dishes without demanding anything overly elaborate. Chapoutier suggests grilled beef flank steak with pepper cream and roasted sweet potatoes, a pairing that plays beautifully with the wine’s dark fruit and peppery character.