Hermitage Blanc 2023 Chante Alouette - Chapoutier

Hermitage Blanc 2023 Chante Alouette - Chapoutier

From the wine estate

96/100 James Suckling

Remarkable texture and mastery. Aromas of lemon zest, wildflowers, quince skin, and warm spices. A medium-bodied wine with lovely, crisp acidity. On the palate, it is textured, round, and balanced. Precise and lively, it offers gentle lemon verbena notes that add depth and delicious appeal. The long, fresh finish features a slightly waxy texture that lends precision and persistence. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Kevin Davy

Colour: green gold, brilliant.

Nose: complex and subtle; aromas of quince, walnut, honey, ginger, acacia with a hint of lime blossom.

Palate: frank attack, without aggressiveness, almond finish, very elegant and very long.

The sommelier's advice: Foie gras, lobster, fish and poultry in sauce, white meat, goat's cheese, blue cheese, spicy dishes (excellent with curry) and not forgetting poultry cooked with mushrooms or truffles on an old vintage.

Grape variety: Marsanne.

Harvest: Hand picked when ripe.

Soil: The grapes from which this wine is made come from three different vineyards:

- "Chante-Alouette": a high altitude terroir where the soil mixes loess with very finely decomposed granite. It gives freshness, salinity and acidity to the wine.

Vinification: The musts are obtained after a long pressing and are lightly settled before fermentation. Part of the fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats and part in demi-muids. The lees are stirred for the first 2-3 months on the lees, which brings texture to the wine.

Ageing: 40-30% of the wine is aged in stainless steel vats. The remaining 60-70 % is aged in demi-muids with 10 % new wood and 90 % wood from one to three wines.