Rhone Royalty
M.Chapoutier
Northern Rhone Blanc & Rouge Masterclass and Dinner
“Michel Chapoutier produces some of the world’s greatest wines from single parcels of old vines spread throughout the
northern and southern Rhone…He also has an impressive portfolio of value-priced wines that are often over-looked when this impressive
producer is discussed.”
Robert M. Parker Jr.
”…he has a global perspective that's probablyunmatched in the Rhône.”
Joe Czerwinski
“History will record that Michel Chapoutier is a revolutionary.”
Robert M. Parker Jr.
“This estate goes from strength to strength in just about every appellation in the Rhône Valley… From the top to the bottom of the range, you can’t go wrong”
Jeb Dunnuck
Monday 7 April
M. Chapoutier Ambassador, Damien Agnel hosts 2 Events at Cottesloe…
Masterclass: 5:30-7pm, 13 Wines with nibbles, $95
Dinner: 7.30pm, 13 Wines & 5 Courses, $175
An Estate that nurtures its vineyards with the greatest respect for natural balance and terroir since 1808. The family motto “Fac et Spera” – do and hope – says it all. Two words that sum up all the patience and care that this art demands: patience in relation to nature which presides; care from the winemaker, who observes, chooses and assists. The wine will be the faithful expression of this alchemy. Michel Chapoutier manages an exceptional Estate, a land rich in history and tradition. Passionately interested in expressing the character of the soil, Michel has found the means to give free rein to his convictions.
M. Chapoutier Context
“This estate goes from strength to strength in just about every appellation in the Rhône Valley.” Looking specifically at Hermitage, Chapoutier owns a massive 64 acres, mostly on the famed Bessards lieu-dit, yet also with significant portions on Le Meal, L’Ermite and Les Greffieux, with smaller portions in the Beaume and Murets lieux-dits. From this he fashions five reds (Monier De La Sizeranne, Les Greffieux, Le Meal, Le Pavillon and L’Ermite) and four whites (Chante Alouette, Cuvee de l’Oree, Le Meal Blanc and L’Ermite Blanc), all of which are brilliant wines, with the best ranking up alongside the top wines in the world.
Not enough can be said about the quality that consistently comes from this estate. From the top to the bottom of the range, you can’t go wrong. And while the prices at the top are frightfully expensive (they’re out of my zip code), there are incredible values from St Péray, St Joseph, Cornas and Crozes Hermitage that should be snatched up by readers.
Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
“Michel Chapoutier produces some of the world’s greatest wines from single parcels of old vines spread throughout the northern and southern Rhone… he also has an impressive portfolio of value-priced wines that are often over-looked when this impressive producer is discussed.”
Robert M. Parker Jr.
9 of his wines were awarded a perfect 100 points score by Robert Parker in 2015…A huge Record!!
The Wine List and Menu
Côtes du Rhône Blanc ‘Belleruche’ 2023, Our Price $24
A very attractive and typical white Rhone with aromas of white flowers, fresh lemons, white peaches and some fresh garden herbs. Very clean and bright, although it has modest acidity on the medium-bodied palate. Very animating finish that pulls you back for more. A cuvee based on clairette and grenache blanc. Mostly from the right bank of the Rhone with limestone soils. Drink now.
91 Points Stuart Piggot, jamessuckling.com (April 2024)
Crozes-Hermitage Blanc ‘Les Meysonniers’ 2018, Our Price $44
Pale yellow-gold. Ripe pear, orange and melon aromas are accompanied by suggestions of honey and pungent flowers. Coats the palate with sappy orchard and citrus fruit flavors and suggestions of fennel and sweet butter. Finishes long and silky, with a repeating honey note and a bracing touch of bitter orange pith.
92 Points Josh Raynold, Vinous (March 2020)
1st Course
Saint Joseph Blanc ‘Les Granilites’ 2018, Our Price $64
Light, shimmering yellow. Nervy, mineral-accented orchard and pit fruit aromas display excellent clarity, and a hint of orange zest emerges slowly. Penetrating pear and white peach flavors show very good depth and a complicating minerally nuance that adds back-end cut. The mineral quality also drives the finish, which hangs on with strong tenacity and a repeating floral note. Most of this fruit was sourced from the prime, granite-rich soils of Mauves.
93 Points Josh Raynold, Vinous (March 2020)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘La Bernardine’ 2019, Our Price $78
Hermitage Blanc ‘Chante Alouette’ 2020, Our Price $134
Brilliant all the way, the 2020 Hermitage Chante-Alouette Blanc is a white readers should snatch up. All Marsanne from a mix of both granitic sites and more loess sites, brought up a mix of demi-muids and tank, it has a gorgeous perfume of honeyed peach, quince, crushed stone, and toast. With bright acidity, medium to full body, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish, it will benefit from just a few years of bottle age and keep for 15+ years or more. It’s a quintessential Hermitage Blanc.
96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
2nd Course
Luberon, ‘La Ciboise’ 2022, Our Price $20
A very fruity and fresh red from Luberon with notes of cherries, wild berries, wild herbs and a touch of ground black pepper. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy center palate with crunchy red fruit character and a peppery finish. Fresh and fun. Drink now.
91 Points James Suckling (April 2024)
Côtes du Rhône ‘Belleruche” 2022, Our Price $24
A supple and flavorful white with notes of cooked lemons, honeysuckle, pears and fresh leaves. Medium body with fresh acidity. Vivid and fruity with some herbal character in the finish. Drink now.
90 Points James Suckling (April 2023)
3rd Course
Crozes-Hermitage ‘Les Meysonniers’ 2022, Our Price $47
A well-crafted, crunchy and pulpy northern syrah. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy, crushed dark cherry character with aromas of dark cherries, wild herbs and black pepper. There is a transparent character, with a kick of spices toward the peppery finish. Drink or hold.
93 Points James Suckling (April 2024)
Saint Joseph ‘Les Granilites’ 2019, Our Price $58
4th Course
Cornas ‘Les Arènes’ 2017, Our Price $76
Earthen layers of iron and crushed stone juxtapose lilac petals and menthol in this intensely aromatic, textbook Cornas. It's moderately full on the palate, ripe but pure in fruit, showcasing black-plum and cherry flavors. Layers of dried herb and underbrush as well as firm, coating tannins frame a long finish. Already stunning the wine should drink well past 2035.
96 Points, Anna Lee C. Iijima - Wine Enthusiast
Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘La Bernardine’ 2022, Our Price $86
The 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape la Bernardine, a blend of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah in unknown proportions, offers up aromas of cardamom, garrigue, spices and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and generously extracted, with plenty of youthfully chewy tannins, it's framed by a muscular, rather dense palate with a firm, slightly dry finish.
92 Points Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate (Sepember 2024)
Hermitage ‘Monier de la Sizeranne’ 2018, Our Price $161
Assertive black raspberry, cherry, peony, apricot!) and exotic spice aromas show fine definition and a touch of smoky minerality. Gently sweet, palate-staining black/blue fruit, spicecake and floral pastille flavors deepen with air and take on a licorice nuance and a spicy topnote. Rich but enehgetic as well, finishing with bright, minerally cut on a persistent finish that features youthfully gripping tannins and sexy floral and spice flourishes. This is shaping up to be the most impressive version of this bottling that I have ever tasted.
94-96 Points Josh Raynold, Vinous (February 2020)
5th Course
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2021, Our Price $38