White dry
The wine is produced from the oldest Marsanne vines planted on the Hermitage hill. The old vines ripen their berries in extremely poor granitic soil. The grapes are hand-picked. After a long fermentation, the wine is aged on the lees for 10 - 12 months.
Aged in oak barrels, this rich, weighty white wine reveals aromas of vanilla, almonds, dried fruits, and linden blossom. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with a velvety texture, and a gentle bitterness emerges on the finish. The aftertaste is exceptionally long. This is a wine with remarkable ageing potential — depending on the vintage, it can be cellared for 30 to 75 years.
Serve at 10–12 °C with baked salmon, cod, chicken with béchamel sauce or pork with baked apples.
Another perfect wine is the 2015 Ermitage le Meal Blanc. The most decadent, unctuous and layered in the lineup, with to-die-for notes of white currants, toasted nuts, celery seed and licorice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a huge mid-palate and a refreshing, pure, yet blockbuster finish that just won’t quit. If I had to pick a desert island white, this might be it. Dec 30, 2016
Maison M. Chapoutier – The Benchmark of Biodynamic Mastery in the Rhône Valley
The name Maison M. Chapoutier is inseparable from the modern history of Rhône Valley winemaking. It is one of the estates that not only brought the appellations of the Northern and Southern Rhône to international prominence, but also fundamentally reshaped the way terroir, varietal purity, and responsibility to the land are understood.
Although the Chapoutier family has been involved in wine since the 19th century, a decisive turning point came in the late 20th century when Michel Chapoutier took the helm. His vision was clear—and radical for its time: wine should not be the result of compromise, but a precise translation of place into the glass.
The Single-Varietal Philosophy
Chapoutier was among the first major producers to consistently champion single-varietal wines even in appellations where blends are traditionally permitted—or encouraged.
This is not a marketing choice, but a deliberate philosophy aimed at expressing terroir with absolute clarity:
This approach has made Chapoutier wines true reference points, widely used in professional tastings, wine education, and sommelier training as benchmarks of pure site expression.
Biodynamics as a Mark of Quality
Another cornerstone of Chapoutier’s identity is biodynamic viticulture. The estate was one of the first large Rhône producers to adopt biodynamics and today stands as the largest biodynamic wine estate in the Rhône Valley.
Here, biodynamics is not ideology—it is a practical tool:
The result is wines defined by energy, tension, and longevity—rather than simple ripeness or technical polish.
Mastery of White Wines in the Rhône Context
While the Rhône Valley is often associated primarily with red wines, Chapoutier has become one of the most important ambassadors of world-class Rhône white wines.
Cuvées such as Hermitage Blanc, Ermitage De L’Orée, Saint-Joseph Blanc, and Condrieu are characterized by:
These wines stand as compelling proof that the Rhône is capable of producing white wines of profound complexity, seriousness, and longevity.