M. Chapoutier : Quatuor 2017

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the "Quatuor" 2017 M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a deep, dark plum hue, enhanced by delicate violet highlights.

Nose
Wonderfully complex, the bouquet exudes aromas of black raspberry and redcurrant, intertwined with floral notes of violet. Subtle touches of sweet spices, aniseed, olive and game harmonise with a minerality reminiscent of crushed stone.

Palate
The attack is marked by freshness, opening the way to a refined texture supported by silky tannins. The finish, persistent and elegant, lingers on delicate notes of cedar and sweet spices.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with roast lamb with herbs, slow-cooked beef dishes, or feathered game such as pigeon or duck. It will also beautifully complement earthy dishes, such as sautéed mushrooms or garlic-roasted root vegetables.

Service and storage

Blessed with excellent ageing potential, this 2017 "Quatuor" can be enjoyed until around 2030, or even beyond if stored under optimal conditions.

The pure and complex expression of a great Côte-Rôtie

The estate

Founded in 1808 and historically based in Tain l'Hermitage, the house of M. Chapoutier is a true institution of the Rhône Valley. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture since the 1990s, the estate is renowned for its deep respect for terroir and its innovative approach, notably symbolised by the inclusion of braille on its labels. Today, Michel Chapoutier, who remains the owner, has passed on operational management to his children, Mathilde and Maxime, who continue to uphold the family's excellence and philosophy through internationally acclaimed cuvées.

The vineyard

This wine comes from four distinct plots located within the prestigious Côte-Rôtie appellation. These steep terroirs, with slopes reaching up to sixty degrees, require entirely manual harvesting. Each named site brings its own character: the Côte Brune with its fractured mica schist, the Côte Blonde resting on gneiss, the stony mica schist of Neve, and finally the migmatite and sandy silt soils of the Coteaux du Tupin. The entire vineyard is farmed according to strict biodynamic principles, promoting soil life and natural grass cover without any use of chemicals.

The vintage

2017 proved particularly challenging from a weather perspective, marked by spring frost episodes followed by a highly contrasted summer, alternating between excess moisture and periods of water stress. These extreme conditions demanded constant attention and crucial decisions regarding harvest timing, ultimately resulting in berries of excellent concentration.

Winemaking and ageing

For the production of the "Quatuor" 2017, the bunches are fully destemmed before fermentation begins. Malolactic fermentation and ageing then take place in a combination of 228-litre French oak barrels and 600-litre demi-muids, with a moderate proportion of new oak of around 25%. This maturation period lasts between 12 and 18 months, allowing the wine's structure to be refined while preserving the brightness of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% Syrah