M. Chapoutier 2018 Chante-Alouette Blanc Hermitage
Item Number: 60 10 413 18
M. Chapoutier 2018 Chante-Alouette Blanc Hermitage
95 Point Iconic Chapoutier Hermitage!
Quick Taste
- 95, 94, 94,94
- Iconic Chapoutier Hermitage wine
- Organic and Biodynamic
- 'plenty of richness that's balanced by ample freshness'
- 'delivers incredible quality'
About M. Chapoutier 2018 Chante-Alouette Blanc Hermitage
Michel Chapoutier believes that only healthy vines growing within a balanced ecosystem can make great wine. Since 1990, The Maison M. CHAPOUTIER have pursued an unwavering commitment to practicing biodynamic viticulture. All chemical pesticides and herbicides are prohibited. Vineyards are nourished with organic matter, thereby preserving, and promoting the good bacteria inherent in healthy soils. Additionally, all vineyard decisions such as when to prune or harvest are informed by the cycles of the earth, sun, and moon.
The 100 % Marsanne grapes from which this wine is produced
come from three different vineyards:
• “Le Méal”: characterized by a soil of very old fluvio-glacial alluvial deposits with a high pebble content.
• “Les Murets”: whose soil is clay-gravel. Its red clays give the wines a full, rich character.
• “Chante-Alouette”: a high-lying terroir whose soil is a mixture of loess and very finely decomposed granite. It gives the wine freshness, salinity and acidity.
The musts are obtained after a long pressing and are lightly settled before fermentation. Part of the fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks and part in demi-muids. The lees are stirred up (bâtonnage) for the first 2-3 months adding texture to the wine. 40-30% takes place in stainless steel vats. The remaining 60-70% is aged in demimuids (600 litres) barrels, 10% of which are made of new wood and 90% of wood previously used for one to three wines.
95 Points Wine Advocate
The 2018 Hermitage Chante-Alouette is ripe and custardy in feel, with plenty of richness that's balanced by ample freshness. Hints of citrus, melon and white peach mingle easily on the nose and palate, offering a lovely introduction to white Hermitage.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Hermitage Chante-Alouette Blanc just about always delivers incredible quality, and it sells for a fraction of the single vineyard releases. Classic Hermitage notes of buttered citrus, honeysuckle, acacia flowers, and spice all flow from this richer, beautifully textured, balanced Hermitage that has enough density and depth to keep for 10-15 years or more. It's well worth seeking out and I'd be happy with a case in the cellar.
94 Points Wine Spectator
Lovely, with a mix of fresh and dried peach, yellow apple and quince flavors, along with honeysuckle, salted butter and heather notes. The long finish has a nice tease of quinine for contrast amid the fruit.
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
An array of complex layers lure you into the glass: an orchard of apple and pear, fresh lemon zest, quince, squeeze of fresh pineapple, yellow lily and marzipan, underpinned with raw almond. The palate is complex with an intense layer of stone topped with jack fruit, lemongrass and honeysuckle. Cellar well through 2030+ or enjoy now with rich spicy dishes.
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 14.0%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Wine Type White
- Country France
- Region Rhône
- Appellation Hermitage
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