M. Chapoutier : Chante-Alouette 2015

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Chante-Alouette 2015 M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Color
This white wine displays a brilliant color revealing a striking green-gold hue.

Nose
Subtle and complex, the nose gradually reveals aromas of quince, walnut, honey, and ginger, delicately enhanced by floral notes of acacia and a touch of linden.

Palate
The attack is direct and clean, without any aggressiveness. The palate offers a rich, full-bodied structure while retaining a fine mineral precision. With a silky texture, it unfolds flavors of white peach and orange marmalade, before extending into a very elegant, long finish marked by subtle almond notes.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs wonderfully with foie gras, shellfish such as lobster or crayfish, as well as white fish in delicate sauces. It also perfectly complements poultry with cream and mushroom sauces, spicy Asian curry dishes, or aged cheeses such as an old Comté or a Fourme d'Ambert.

Service and storage

The Chante-Alouette 2015 can be enjoyed now to fully appreciate its fruity expression, and will continue to develop favorably until around 2026.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%.

The richness and mineral precision of a wine from Hermitage

The estate

Founded in 1808 in the Rhône Valley, the house of M. Chapoutier stands as a true benchmark in winemaking. Now led by Michel Chapoutier, alongside his children Mathilde and Maxime, the estate spans 360 hectares across the world. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture since the 1990s, the estate stands out for its deep respect for terroir and its pursuit of authenticity. Another distinctive feature of its identity is that every label of the house has been transcribed in braille since 1996, reflecting the family's cherished values of inclusion and sharing.

The vineyard

This wine is produced from three distinct plots located on the famous hillside of the Hermitage appellation, cultivated according to biodynamic principles. The Le Méal plot rests on ancient alluvial deposits rich in pebbles, contributing minerality. Les Murets is characterized by clay-gravel soils that lend richness, while the higher-altitude Chante-Alouette plot is composed of loess and decomposed granite, ensuring freshness and acidity in the blend.

The vintage

The year 2015 was marked by exceptional heat and a period of summer drought. Timely rains in mid-August and early September helped unlock the grapes' ripening and achieve a perfect balance. The harvest thus revealed remarkably high-quality berries, ripe and early.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Chante-Alouette 2015 are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness. After a long pressing and light settling, fermentation takes place partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in half-barrels. The wine then undergoes regular lees stirring for two to three months. Aging continues in a similar split: about one-third in tank to preserve aromatic purity, and the rest in half-barrels (10% new oak) to enrich the texture without masking the expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

This wine is made exclusively from Marsanne (100%).