M. Chapoutier : Neve 2018

The aromatic richness and silky feel of a Côte-Rôtie red wine

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

M. Chapoutier's 2018 Côte-Rôtie Neve is made from a vineyard located on the hillside of the eponymous place, located in Ampuis. Ideally facing south / south-east, this terroir is unique in that its soil is composed of schist and mica schist as well as a few seams of earth on the middle part of the hillside.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand when fully ripe and are completely destemmed before being vinified exclusively in raw concrete vats. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts precedes a vatting period of 4 to 5 weeks completed by regular pumping over at the beginning of maceration as well as some punching of the cap. Work on the lees is carried out during the last 3 weeks of maceration.

The wine is then placed into hot barrels after the run-offs, followed by 24 to 48 hours of sedimentation to eliminate the coarser lees. The wine is aged in 228-litre Burgundy barrels (25 to 30% of which are new) for 14 to 18 months, with racking at the end of the winter season.

The blend

Syrah (100%).

M. Chapoutier's Neve 2018: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

This deep wine showcases a beautiful black colour with satin highlights.

Nose

The first nose features this terroir’s aromatic, mineral and floral richness.

Palate

Refreshing and very elegant, the palate is seduced by this wine’s silky and coating tannins.

Cellaring

Enjoy today after decanting, M. Chapoutier's 2018 Neve can also be kept in the cellar until at least 2038 in order to express all its elegance and finesse.

Food and wine pairing

Neve 2018 by M. Chapoutier will complement flaky and roasted game (pheasant, thrush) on toast, roasted woodcock or roasted quail with black truffle.