M. Chapoutier : De l'Orée 2017
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An elegant white wine from Ermitage with a rich aromatic palette
The estate
Established since 1808 in Tain-L'Hermitage, M. Chapoutier is an elite reference among fine Rhône Valley wines today.
Winemaker and wine merchant, Michel Chapoutier has successfully brought this family-owned business to the very top. The wines by Maison Chapoutier are renowned by the finest connoisseurs from all around the world for their refinement and high quality. A man of many talents, Michel Chapoutier holds the world record for 100/100 scores awarded by the American critic, Robert Parker. Mathilde, Michel Chapoutier's daughter, has taken over the running of this iconic house, which has over 350 hectares of vineyards in the most prestigious appellations of the northern and southern Rhône Valley region.
The vineyard
This plot-selection Ermitage De l'Orée by M. Chapoutier is made from grapes that stem from the Murets parcel. This plot’s soil is unique as it is composed of very old fluvio-glacial alluvium. These old vines, 60 to 70 years old on average, are renowned for their low yields, which produce high-quality wines.
Vinification and ageing
Hand-picked when fully ripe. Pressing followed by cold settling of the must for approximately 24 hours. Around 50% of the wine is vinified in demi-muids with regular stirring of the lees and 50% in vats. This wine is aged for 10 to 12 months, including 6 months on the lees with regular stirring of the lees.
The blend
M. Chapoutier's 2017 De l'Orée is a 100% Marsanne.
M. Chapoutier's 2017 De l'Orée: Characteristics and tasting tips
The tasting
This 2017 vintage, produced in a year marked by an early harvest, offers an impressively smooth power, a great finesse and an optimal balance between refined bitterness and acidity. This wine expresses reduction notes, a characteristic of Ermitage wines in their youth, the palate reveals a beautiful structure mixed with aromas of struck matches and toasted sesame seeds.
Cellaring
M. Chapoutier's 2017 De l'Orée can be cellared for several decades to express its full aromatic range.
There are a substantial 909 cases of the 2017 Ermitage de l'Orée. Sourced from Les Murets' clay soils, it combines hints of struck flint with honey, pear and baking spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with a layered sense of richness and ample concentration, it's a big but balanced wine. While it lacks the zest and freshness of the 2016, it should still drink well for close to two decades.