M. Chapoutier : Quatuor 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Quatuor 2021 by M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a deep crimson color with carmine highlights.

Nose
Complex and predominantly floral, the nose opens with aromas of red fruits, spices and tapenade, revealing a beautiful harmony between fruity freshness and mineral nuances.

Palate
The attack is fresh, carried by silky tannins that evolve toward notes of sweet spices and cedar on the finish. The texture unfolds with elegance, offering an aromatic progression that reflects the wine's complexity without excessive heaviness.

Food and wine pairing
This wine pairs perfectly with roasted quail stuffed with mushrooms, grilled venison or tri-tip beef. It also goes beautifully with a spiced lentil stew or aged hard cheeses.

Serving and storage
The Quatuor 2021 has an aging potential of approximately 20 to 30 years. As it evolves, it will develop secondary aromas of leather, undergrowth and complex oxidative notes characteristic of the great wines of the Northern Rhône.

An elegant and fresh Côte-Rôtie, a harmonious expression of four terroirs from the Rhône Valley

The estate
Founded in 1808 in the Rhône Valley, the M. Chapoutier house truly embarked on viticulture in 1879 when Polydor Chapoutier acquired his first vines. Since 1990, Michel Chapoutier, representing the seventh generation, has led the company and revolutionized its practices by converting the entire vineyard to biodynamics, making M. Chapoutier a pioneer of this farming approach. Today, the estate manages over 240 hectares in the Rhône Valley and notably owns 34 hectares on the hill of Hermitage. The house also stands out for its commitment to accessibility, being the first producer in the world to feature Braille on all its labels since 1996. Michel Chapoutier and his children Maxime and Mathilde carry on a philosophy centered on the authentic expression of terroirs and respect for nature.

The vineyard
The Quatuor comes from four distinct parcels within the Côte-Rôtie appellation, each contributing its own signature to the final wine. The Côte Brune, on fractured micaceous schist, provides structure and tannic power. The Côte Blonde, planted on gneiss, brings elegance and floral character. Neve, located to the north on stony micaceous schist, contributes tension and minerality. Finally, Tupins, the most southerly parcel on migmatite and sandy loam, adds spicy and dark fruit notes. This geological mosaic creates a polyphonic expression of the Côte-Rôtie terroir.

The vintage
The 2021 vintage proved particularly demanding in the Rhône Valley. After a mild, dry winter, a devastating black frost struck in early April, causing significant losses in some vineyards. Spring and summer were then marked by exceptional rainfall in the northern part of the valley, with approximately 700 millimeters of cumulative rain, creating constant downy mildew pressure but allowing good water regulation. Harvest began on August 30, approximately ten days later than in 2020. Despite these climatic challenges, the vintage produced wines of remarkable quality, characterized by their freshness, elegance and balance, with well-preserved natural acidity.

Winemaking and aging
The grapes for the Quatuor 2021 are fully destemmed and then vinified in raw concrete tanks. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, with temperatures gradually rising to 30–32°C. Maceration lasts 4 to 5 weeks, beginning with regular pumping over before transitioning to punching down, with the final three weeks devoted to lees stirring. After draining and 24 to 48 hours of settling, the wine is barreled while still warm. Aging takes place half in 228-liter barrels and half in 600-liter demi-muids, with 20 to 25% new oak. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel. A racking is performed at the end of winter, and total aging extends from 12 to 18 months depending on the characteristics of the vintage.

Grape variety
100% Syrah