M. Chapoutier : Le Méal 2025

Characteristics and tasting advice for Le Méal 2025 by M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Appearance

Pale yellow color with subtle golden highlights, bright and clear.

Nose

Elegant and nuanced, the nose opens with notes of crushed tomato leaf, accompanied by a touch of cold smoke and delicately toasted almond. With aeration, the bouquet becomes more indulgent, revealing aromas of ripe pineapple enhanced by sweet spices and a light brioche nuance.

Palate

The attack is broad and the palate unfolds with width without excessive opulence, supported by a velvety, silky texture. Flavors of exotic fruits mingle with fine hints of peat, offering beautiful aromatic complexity. The finish, delicate and persistent, stretches out elegantly with a dry extract of great finesse.

The finesse and elegance of a white wine from the Rhône Valley

The estate

The history of M. Chapoutier dates back to 1808 in Tain l’Hermitage. A decisive turning point came in 1879 when the family acquired its first vineyard parcels. Today, the House is led by Michel Chapoutier, alongside his children Mathilde and Maxime. It spans 389 hectares of vineyards certified in organic and biodynamic agriculture. Located in the heart of the Rhône Valley, this pioneering estate stands out for its commitment to soil vitality and the authentic expression of terroir, as well as for its Braille labels, reflecting its openness and inclusivity.

The vineyard

The vineyard behind this wine corresponds to a steep 0.6-hectare plot nestled in the heart of the Ermitage hill, in the sunniest area of the appellation. The vines, aged between 50 and 70 years, thrive on high terraces composed of rolled pebbles and clay. The pebbles capture heat during the day and release it at night, while the clay retains moisture and mineral elements. The entire vineyard is cultivated biodynamically, without the use of chemical pesticides or herbicides, in harmony with natural rhythms.

The vintage

A vintage that began with a rather mild and very rainy winter, building good water reserves, followed by a prolonged cold period delaying budburst and reducing the risk of frost. Spring, alternating between rain and sunshine, led to strong vegetative growth and increased pressure on the vines, with early flowering but few clusters. The summer was marked by two heatwaves and a hail episode in Crozes-Hermitage, causing some losses. Harvesting, starting early from mid-August, was spread out thanks to late-August rains that refined ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are harvested entirely by hand to select only the finest bunches. The vinification of this white wine is characterized by low-temperature fermentations, chosen to preserve aromatic intensity and floral notes. This Rhône Valley wine is then aged for a long period on lees, a method that helps refine its texture and enhance its expression.

Grape variety

100% Marsanne.