1995 Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc “Chante Alouette”

I’ve heard that the ’95 Chante is being blown out at $15 per. I bought it on release at about twice that. In its youth, there were some nice stony-citrus flavors. With some cellar age, this bottle was oxidizing badly, a rotting nose coupled with burnt flavors pounding through the finish. A second bottle showed the same. What a sucker I was. “Putrid swill” would be too kind. Joe Besser.

SY (1/02)