Winemaker Notes The 2018 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “Le Pavillon” Rouge Bio is a monumental Syrah from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit on Hermitage Hill. Deep purple in color, it opens with a complex bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, crushed rock, violets, olives, acacia flowers, and gamey, smoky notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, yet refined, with a tight, backward structure that will require significant aging to fully reveal its depth. The mid-palate shows plush fruit and earthy nuances, almost creamy in texture, finishing with waves of velvety tannins and remarkable persistence. Critics awarded it 96–98 points (Robert Parker) and 96 points (Wine Spectator), praising its balance of fruit, savory complexity, and extraordinary aging potential—capable of evolving gracefully for decades. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “De L’Orée” Blanc Bio is a powerful and age-worthy Marsanne from the Les Murets parcel in Hermitage, Northern Rhône. It displays an intense golden hue and opens with expressive aromas of orange blossom, citrus, acacia, hawthorn, and mineral notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied and concentrated, with layers of ripe fruit, lemon curd, honey, and spice, balanced by freshness and a distinctive flinty minerality. The finish is long, complex, and elegant, showcasing both opulence and precision. Highly acclaimed by critics (96–98 points from Robert Parker), this wine is renowned for its extraordinary longevity, capable of evolving gracefully for decades. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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Winemaker Notes The 2017 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “Le Méal” Rouge Bio is a standout Syrah from one of Hermitage Hill’s earliest-ripening parcels. It opens with fresh, lively aromas of crème de framboise, blueberry, and baking spices, accented by touches of vanilla. On the palate, it is generous, silky, and seductive, with glossy black fruit and supple tannins that give it both richness and elegance. James Suckling highlighted its youthful energy, noting flavors of loganberry, black currant, and black cherry, framed by bramble, bay leaf, violet, and earthy notes. Critics praised its balance of power and finesse, with Robert Parker awarding it a perfect 100 points, underscoring its exceptional quality and long aging potential. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “L’Ermite” Rouge Bio is a profound expression of Syrah from the granite soils at the very top of Hermitage Hill. It shows a very deep garnet, almost black color, with an aromatic profile of crème de cassis, black fruits, violets, acacia flowers, ink, crushed stone, charcoal, and peppered game. On the palate, it is full-bodied, tight, and concentrated, combining immense power with velvety tannins and a mineral backbone that reflects its terroir. Smoky and peppery notes highlight the Syrah’s character, while the finish is long and resonant. Critics awarded it near-perfect scores (98–100 points from Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck), praising its purity, depth, and extraordinary aging potential—capable of evolving gracefully for 30 to 60 years, and in exceptional vintages, even longer. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 Maison M. Chapoutier Ermitage “L’Ermite” Blanc Bio is considered one of the most exceptional Marsanne-based wines from the Northern Rhône. Coming from old vines at the very top of Hermitage Hill, it delivers a magical bouquet of quince, poached pear, orange blossom, honeysuckle, and a distinctive mineral “liqueur of rock” character. On the palate, it is powerful, super-rich, and full-bodied, yet balanced with remarkable precision and depth. Aged in demi-muids (20–25% new), the wine shows both opulence and finesse, with a long, resonant finish. Critics awarded it near-perfect scores (100 points Jeb Dunnuck, 98–100 Robert Parker), praising its purity and longevity; while approachable with extended aeration, it is expected to reach peak maturity in 7–8 years and age gracefully for decades. About Winery  Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most historic and influential wineries in France’s Rhône Valley, based in Tain-l’Hermitage. The family’s roots in the region trace back to 1808, when the company was first established under the name Calvet et Compagnie. In 1879, Polydor Chapoutier purchased vineyards in Hermitage, marking the true beginning of the Chapoutier wine legacy. By the late 19th century, Marius Chapoutier expanded the business, and in the 20th century, leadership passed through successive generations, including Max Chapoutier. The most transformative era began in the 1990s under Michel Chapoutier, who introduced biodynamic viticulture, a philosophy emphasizing harmony between soil, plants, and environment. Michel also made Chapoutier’s wines globally recognizable by adding Braille labels in 1996, honoring inclusivity. Today, Chapoutier is celebrated for producing some of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, particularly from Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while remaining a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking.

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