M. Chapoutier, Monier de la Sizeranne, Hermitage, Syrah France 2007

Just around when I started to get serious about wine, some crazy Frenchman named Michel was plying biodynamics in the Rhône Valley.  This 2007 comes from just one 300 acre hill, Hermitage, where steep terraces birth some of the world’s greatest Syrah. But let him do the talking:

Right now, in 2016, this is how his 2007 tastes to me:

Appearance: A deep inky garnet narrows to a thin rim of brick framed by soupy alcoholic legs.

Aromas: Pronounced charred bacon, dried fig, black cherry, hot rocks, iron oxide, dried violets, and cracked pepper.

Palate: Dry, medium acidity (showing a slight volatility), warm, edgy alcohol 13.5%, medium mellow tannins, mild dust, creating a medium plus body.

Flavors: Dry intense swooning swirling ashen earth, tobacco, hot red cherry liquor, steaming, volcanic stuff. Outstanding. 5 of 5 drink now or in 20 years

For 115.00 dollars Chapoutier will not disappoint.