M. Chapoutier : Les Granilites 2020

Characteristics and tasting notes of the "Les Granilites" 2020 M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a beautiful pale yellow hue, brightened by delicate green highlights that underline the freshness of this wine.

Nose
The nose expresses itself with great finesse, releasing subtle notes of white flowers harmoniously blended with aromas of white-fleshed fruits, such as peach and pear.

Palate
On the palate, this wine unfolds a rich, velvety texture. The whole shines with elegance and softness, offering a very pleasant tactile sensation, free from any aggressive acidity.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine will pair wonderfully with grilled or roasted white meats, as well as with a platter of soft cheeses, particularly a matured goat's cheese whose texture will perfectly match the wine's structure.

Service and storage

The "Les Granilites" 2020 cuvée can be enjoyed now, but also has ageing potential that will allow it to evolve favourably until around 2025.

The floral elegance and freshness of a Saint-Joseph white wine

The estate

Founded in 1808 and historically rooted in the Rhône Valley, the house of M. Chapoutier is a true institution. Now led by Michel Chapoutier, supported by his wife Corinne and by the eighth generation represented by Mathilde and Maxime, the estate oversees around 360 hectares of vines across the world. An undisputed pioneer of biodynamics, the domaine places respect for terroir at the heart of its philosophy. A striking feature of its identity and social commitment, all of the house's labels have included Braille text since 1996.

The vineyard

This wine comes from the Saint-Joseph appellation, sourced from carefully selected plots in the communes of Charnas, Tournon and Mauves. The vines benefit from a south and southeast exposure on hillsides with highly draining soils, composed of schist, gneiss and a granite bedrock. This exceptional terroir is swept by the Mistral, a wind that naturally cleanses the vineyard and slows the ripening cycle, thereby promoting great freshness and vibrant minerality.

The vintage

The year 2020 was marked by unusual earliness and a summer of scorching heat. This climate led to very early harvests, beginning as soon as late August. Despite these extreme temperatures, the berries managed to preserve remarkable acidity and reach perfect phenolic ripeness, giving rise to juices combining mineral precision with great freshness.

Winemaking and aging

Following hand-picked harvests, the "Les Granilites" 2020 cuvée receives particular attention in the cellar. Under the technical direction of Maxime Chapoutier, the white wines benefit from lower fermentation temperatures to preserve their full aromatic purity, combined with controlled oxidation techniques. Ageing takes place on extended lees, favouring the use of 1200-litre muids to refine the wine's texture while respecting the identity of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% Marsanne.