Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Ermitage de L'Oree Blanc 2016
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Brilliant gold. Heady lemon curd, pear nectar, iodine and toasted brioche on the deeply perfumed, mineral-accented nose. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering densely packed citrus and orchard fruit and sweet butter flavors that show outstanding clarity and minerally thrust. Delivers superb energy and real power on the clinging finish, which features a sexy floral quality and a touch of smoky minerality. This wine's balancing act of power and finesse is extremely impressive.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
As usual, Chapoutier's sélections parcellaires are stunning. The 2016 Ermitage de l'Oree from Les Murets' clay soils combines hints of honey and toast with tangerine zest and melon. It's 100% Marsanne, yet shows exuberant, nearly tropical flavors and absolutely no bitterness. It's full-bodied, completely mouth coating and rich, yet it finishes with zesty vitality and sherbet-like cleanliness. It should drink well for at least two decades.
About the Producer
Founded in 1808, M. Chapoutier owns 175 hectares of vines in five appellations in the Rhone Valley and is now run by the energetic and brilliant Michel Chapoutier. Since Michel started running the estate, the quality of the winemaking has improved very quickly and the philosophy of winemaking has changed considerably. Michel Chapoutier's achievements caused an instant sensation in the winemaking world and he completely changed the way Chapoutier wines were made and the winemaking process, eventually making wines to rival those made by Marcel Guigal, one of the best winemakers in the Rhone Valley. The vineyards of Château Sapoutier range from the Rhone Valley to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a number of quality vineyards planted with Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne and other major grape varieties. The winery is "mono-varietal" (i.e. making wines from a single variety), for example, all Syrah for the Châteauneuf-du-Rotie wines, all Marsanne for the Hermitage whites and all Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. The wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape are all Grenache. Château Sapoutier has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of its wines, even though each single vineyard produces far more than the 500 cases of fine wine. Since 1989, Château Sapoutier has been using biodynamic farming and winemaking methods with the aim of producing wines that are the purest and closest to the natural terroir. Every decision, every step of the viticultural and winemaking process is designed to add to the terroir, varietal character and vintage identity of the wines. Only wild yeasts are used for fermentation and the wines are made in small oak barrels. The best red and white wines are not clarified or filtered before bottling.
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