M. Chapoutier

As an incredibly recognizable name now, Michel Chapoutier made his name in the 80s and 90s in pioneering styles of wines that deserved to be shared, as he himself was one who saw wine as we do: inclusive, rather than exclusive. As his acclaim built, much of it came as a result of Michel's uncompromising drive to increase quality in any way he could. Today, the range of wines coming from Chapoutier is broad, with something for everyone, and the very special for those who seek more.

Chapoutier was one of the very first in the Rhone to implement biodynamic viticulture, and even though his wines were beloved by critics, he started to see the benefit of lessening the impact of oak and ripeness in favor of balance. Where so many of the wines from other estates released in the 90s and early 00s are vast, bold and starting to peter out, Chapoutier's top wines retain vitality and balance that is retroactively inspiring envy.

Perhaps three of the jewels of the Northern Rhone, the trio of Hermitage Blancs - L'Oree, L'Ermite & Le Meal - represent individual expressions of Marsanne, a widely misunderstood grape. Like Grenache, it can gather ripeness quickly and exhibit a marmalade-type aromatic profile; however, in the hands of gifted vignerons, the texture and acidity balance can create the very greatest white wines the Rhone has seen. As it is so often from Chapoutier!