M. Chapoutier : L'Ermite 2011

M. Chapoutier presents a great white wine from the Rhône Valley, the result of a rigorous parcel selection

The property

Established since 1808 in Tain-L’Hermitage, the M. Chapoutier house embodies today the elite of the greatest names in Rhône Valley wines.

Vinegrower and merchant, Michel Chapoutier has managed over the vintages to lead this family business to the top. The wines of Maison Chapoutier are recognized for their refinement and high quality by the finest connoisseurs beyond borders. A man of many hats, Michel Chapoutier holds the world record for 100/100 scores awarded by American critic Robert Parker. Mathilde, Michel Chapoutier's daughter, has taken up the torch of this iconic house, overseeing a vineyard of over 350 hectares across the most prestigious appellations of the northern and southern Rhône Valley.

The vineyard

The parcel cuvée L’Ermite 2011 white from M. Chapoutier is an Ermitage wine made from a selection of old marsanne vines, unique both for their expression of great minerality and their late maturity. Located at the top of the Hermitage hill, in the place called l’Ermite, these poor soils are mainly composed of granite also called " gore ".

Vinification and aging

Harvested manually at full maturity, the grapes are subject, after a slight settling, to vinification exclusively in barrels. Following a long fermentation, the aging is carried out on lees for 10 to 12 months, accompanied by regular stirring.

Blend

Marsanne (100%)

Characteristics and tasting advice for L’Ermitage Ermite 2011 from M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Color
Clear and bright, the color is a beautiful straw yellow.

Nose
Expressive and of beautiful minerality, the nose reveals fragrances of vanilla, almonds, dried fruits and linden.

Palate
Round and balanced, the palate seduces with its aromatic palette of very ripe white flesh fruits (peaches and apricots), its beautiful persistence and its subtle bitterness at the end of the tasting.

Food and wine pairings

A pan-fried scallop flambé or a Thermidor lobster are refined pairings with this wine from the Rhône Valley.