M.Chapoutier (Chateau Chapoutier) is a family-owned winery founded in 1808. Currently, the winery is managed by the energetic and outstanding Mr. Michel Chapoutier. The winery has developed to the present day and now owns 175 hectares of vineyards in the Rhone Valley. And it has its own vineyards in several top AOC regions, especially in Hermitage. After Michel started running the winery, the quality of the winery's wines improved very rapidly, and the winemaking philosophy also underwent significant changes. Michel Chapoutier's achievements caused a sensation in the wine-making world for a time. He completely transformed the wine-making methods and procedures of Michel Chapoutier, eventually enabling his wines to rival those made by Marcel Guigal, the most outstanding winemaker in the Rhone Valley. Under Michel's leadership, CHAPOUTIER has gained a prominent position in the Rhone Valley region and has become one of the top wine merchants. M. Chapoutier boasts many of the best vineyards in the local area. In addition, their wine estates are scattered all over the southern region of France, and even there is a M. Chapoutier winery in southern Australia.
Region
Since 1989, M. Chapman Tier has been using biodynamic farming and winemaking methods, with the aim of producing the purest wines that are closest to the natural terroir conditions. Every decision and every step in the process of viticulture and winemaking is aimed at enhancing the terroir, varietal characteristics and vintage characteristics of the wine. The wines from the vineyard owned by M. Chapoutier are all produced based on the principle of biodynamic methods. No artificial yeast or additives are added at all, and no gumming treatment is carried out. Only a very small amount of fermentation stop agents are added. Through the precise control of the winemakers, the natural flavor of the wine is fully brought out. They vividly call it: "Let the land speak in the wine."
Winemaking
The outstanding wines of M.Chapoutier include: Chateauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac, Cote Rotie La Mordoree, Hermitage L 'Ermite, Hermitage Le Meal Rose, Hermitage L 'Ermite White and L 'Oree White.
If you have tasted the wine of M.Chapoutier, you will find that its label is unique because there are some "protrusions" on it. In fact, there is a lot to tell behind this. The raised dots on the wine label are actually a simplified version of Braille.
On the labels of M.Chapoutier wines, without exception, you can notice that this is not only because there is a blind person in the Chapoutier family, but also because the Braille logo is a great convenience for him to participate in the family's wine business. At the same time, it is also to show respect for the elder Maurice Monier de La Sizeranne. Maurice Monier not only invented the simplified version of Braille, but also helped many blind and visually impaired people out of isolation. At the same time, he was also an early owner of the Hermitage AOC region in the Rhone Valley.
In addition, there is a little story about how Saptiel learned of his blind friend's various concerns when choosing wine. So in 1993, Saptiel began to try printing Braille on wine labels and later succeeded. He then promoted this Braille to nearly a million bottles of his own wine. The content of Braille mainly includes information such as the wine's region, variety, vintage, and whether it is red or white grapes.
Chante Aloutte is located beneath the Maison Blanche vineyard, facing south. The base is loess and covered with limestone clay. After hand-picking and juicing, one third of the juice is fermented in new oak barrels, while the rest is fermented in stainless steel tanks. The aging time in the barrels is determined each year based on the tasting results, approximately ranging from 10 to 12 months. This wine has a bright golden yellow color with a hint of green. Its breath is complex and delicate, featuring notes of honey, ginger, quince, and basswood flowers. It has a distinct style and a soft taste, with a hint of roasted almonds in the aftertaste. Overall, it is elegant and has a long-lasting aftertaste.
Jeb Dunnuck 95
Always a classic Hermitage Blanc, the 2019 Hermitage Chante-Alouette Blanc is all Marsanne that comes mostly from vines just above the Le Méal lieu-dit, but also from the upper part of the Les Murets. A rich, medium to full-bodied beauty, it has classic Hermitage minerality as well as smoking good notes of buttered peach, quince, woodsmoke, crushed stone, and a touch of spice. It shows even more minerality on the palate and is balanced, with ample mid-palate depth and a great finish. This young, concentrated, vibrant Hermitage Blanc can be drunk over the coming 20-25 years or more.
Wine Spectator 94
Deliciously ripe and succulent, with yellow apple, green plum and Cavaillon melon notes laced with salted butter, honeysuckle and heather. This has a minerally edge and a flash of bitter orange buried on the finish, adding a hint of tension for balance. Lovely.
Wine Advocate 93
Blended from the lieux-dits of Les Murets, Le Méal and the loess portion of L'Ermite, the 2019 Hermitage Chante-Alouette is a ripe, rich wine marked by notes of toasty oak, pear, pineapple, melon and citrus. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky in feel across the mid-palate, then long and zesty-briny on the finish. It can be consumed young or after a decade of cellaring.
