M. CHAPOUTIER Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette - Rhone Valley 2023 Bottle - BIO/ORG (100% Marsanne)

Description

M. Chapoutier is one of the Rhône Valley’s most respected estates, and we are always thrilled to showcase their exceptional wines. Since taking over in the 1990s, Michel Chapoutier has championed biodynamic viticulture, and this commitment to the environment truly shines through in the Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette 2023. As a lovely touch, all their bottles feature Braille labels, highlighting an ethos of inclusivity that we greatly admire.

This beautiful white is crafted from biodynamically grown grapes sourced from three distinct soils on the Hermitage hill: loess in Le Méal, glacial moraine in Les Murets, and granite in L'Ermite. The winemaking is carefully considered, with 15% matured in stainless steel to retain a vibrant freshness, while the remainder ages in large oak barrels to build texture and complexity.

The 2023 vintage is highly acclaimed, earning 96 points from James Suckling and 95 from Decanter. In the glass, it offers a wonderfully aromatic bouquet of linden blossom, honeysuckle, ripe pear, lemon peel, and warm spices, with a subtle hint of curry leaf. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, perfectly balancing a fleshy, enveloping core of fruit with an unexpectedly refreshing acidity. Succulent flavours of yellow apple, quince, and sweet lemon verbena bring lovely succulence, while the mouthfeel remains impeccably round, satiny, and precise. It finishes with a long, elegant, and gently saline length. Beautifully concentrated yet fresh, this superb wine is an absolute joy to drink right now, or you can comfortably cellar it to enjoy well into the 2030s.

Critics Reviews

JAMES SUCKLING 96 points/100
So refined in texture and control. Aromas of lemon peel, wildflowers, quince peel and warm spices. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. So textured, round and balanced on the palate. It's precise and vivid, with some sweet lemon verbena flavors bringing succulence. Long, fresh finish with a slightly waxy texture brings precision and length. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

DECANTER 95 points/100
Tasted by: Matt Walls (at Rhône Valley, 01 Oct 2024)
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2038
Has good weight and concentration, but is certainly a fresh expression of Chante-Alouette. Perfectly weighted, perfectly balanced and finishes medium length. As usual, in fact particularly in this vintage, buying this cuvée is an absolute no-brainer. Grown on loess (Le Méal), glacial moraine (Les Murets) and granite (L'Ermite).

THE WINE ADVOCATE 93 points/100
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Drink Date: 2025 - 2035
The 2023 Hermitage Chante-Alouette is lovely, unfurling from the glass with a ripe bouquet of pear, flowers, spices, curry leaf and herbs. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, it's pure and seamless, with a fleshy core of fruit and vibrant acidity for a Hermitage, culminating in a long, saline finish. Crafted from vines planted on loess, clay and granite at the bottom of the hill, 15% of the wine matured in stainless steel, and the rest matured in foudres from cooper Rousseau and large barrels, 10% of which are new.

VINOUS 93 points/100
Drinking window: 2025 - 2036
The 2023 Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette offers a pronounced aromatic profile, featuring linden blossom, lemon flesh, yellow apple, honeysuckle and ripe pear scents. Medium- to full-bodied, the 2023 delights with refreshing vibrancy. The long, sapid finish is elevated by subtle saline characteristics, adding complexity and a lingering sense of elegance.