Wine Advisor
M. Chapoutier, Ermitage Le Meal Blanc 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: James Suckling
An expansive, lively, textured, driven and harmonious Ermitage. The nose exhibits notes of caramelized apples, wild herbs, preserved lemons and loads of exotic spices. It’s medium-bodied yet it has so much volume and dimension. The concentrated, flavorful core of spices and subtle fruit at the center expands harmoniously on the palate. A gentle structure brings plenty of finesse and delicacy, with a long, focused, dense finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
Is le Méal the most complex and complete lieu-dit on Hermitage, when considering both red and white wines? The 2018 Ermitage le Méal Blanc certainly makes a case for the white, offering honeyed, complex notes of mixed citrus, pineapple, pear and melon, structural notes of crushed stone, ample weight and richness on the palate and a long, vibrant finish. Just terrific.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Shimmering gold. Powerful, mineral-accented poached pear and peach nectar scents, along with suggestions of honey, brown butter and pungent flowers. Weighty yet energetic on the palate, offering alluringly sweet orchard and pit fruit liqueur flavors that are given spine by a core of juicy acidity. Rich yet sharply delineated, showing excellent finishing clarity, velvety texture and strong, mineral-driven persistence.
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.
