M. Chapoutier is one of the biggest and best-known Rhône producers. While their Southern wines are of mixed quality, their Northern Rhônes are highly respected.
Chapoutier uses biodynamically and organically grown fruit, ages in smaller oak casks (as opposed to the large foudres which are typical in the region), and keeps the juice unfined and unfiltered.
This bottle is from Hermitage, one of the most prestigious appellations in the Northern Rhône. However, Hermitage is best-known for red wines — whites, like this one, represent only about 25% of volume (before someone claims I used AI because of the em dash… please go take a middle-school grammar class). It’s 100% Marsanne from a high-lying vineyard, and was one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorite white wines. The 2015 vintage comes in at 14% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Medium gold color. Complex nose of yellow orchard fruit, ginger, and honey. Round, almost waxy palate that reveals some tropical fruit, with a long, honeyed (but not sweet) finish. Alcohol is present but balanced nicely by acidity. Fantastic if you like bigger whites (I loved it), but I could see it being somewhat polarizing.
by DontLookBack_88
2 Comments
Great wine. I loved it as well.
nice. i’ve never had their whites. northern rhone whites with age have shocked me the few times i’ve had them. worth the effort to seek out.