M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

Hermitage, Rhône, France

At the summit of Chante-Alouette stands a house that was once a shelter for hunters hunting game birds and larks in particular (“alouette” in French). This shelter has strong magnetism as it straddles the Hartmann lines (magnetic lines).

Tasting Notes

"Chante-Alouette" is a beautiful example of a Hermitage wine.
Colour: brilliant and green gold.
Nose: complex and subtle, aromas of quince, walnut, honey, ginger, acacia with a hint of linden-tree.
Palate: frank attack, without aggressiveness, final of almond, very elegant Wand good length.

Foie gras, crayfish, lobster, fish or poultry in a sauce or stew, white meat, goat’s cheeses, blue cheeses, spicy dishes (excellent with curry), or, with an old vintage, poultry cooked with mushrooms or truffles.

Hand-harvested at maturity.

The musts are obtained after a long pressing and are lightly settled before fermentation. Part of the fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks and part in demi-muids. The lees are stirred up (bâtonnage) for the first 2-3 months adding texture to the wine.

40-30% takes place in stainless steel vats. The remaining 60-70% is aged in demimuids (600 litres) barrels, 10% of which are made of new wood and 90% of wood previously used for one to three wines.

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

  • “Le Méal”: characterized by a soil of very old fluvio-glacial alluvial deposits with a high pebble content.
  • “Les Murets”: whose soil is clay-gravel. Its red clays give the wines a full, rich character.
  • “Chante-Alouette”: a high-lying terroir whose soil is a mixture of loess and very finely decomposed granite. It gives the wine freshness, salinity and acidity.

  • The different plots (Méal, Murets and Chante-Alouette) are mainly located in the Ermite lieu-dit area, on high plateaus and plains with excellent exposure

Grapes: Marsanne
Certificates: Organic/Biodynamic

At the summit of Chante-Alouette stands a house that was once a shelter for hunters hunting game birds and larks in particular (“alouette” in French). This shelter has strong magnetism as it straddles the Hartmann lines (magnetic lines).

Tasting Notes

"Chante-Alouette" is a beautiful example of a Hermitage wine.
Colour: brilliant and green gold.
Nose: complex and subtle, aromas of quince, walnut, honey, ginger, acacia with a hint of linden-tree.
Palate: frank attack, without aggressiveness, final of almond, very elegant Wand good length.

Foie gras, crayfish, lobster, fish or poultry in a sauce or stew, white meat, goat’s cheeses, blue cheeses, spicy dishes (excellent with curry), or, with an old vintage, poultry cooked with mushrooms or truffles.

Hand-harvested at maturity.

The musts are obtained after a long pressing and are lightly settled before fermentation. Part of the fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks and part in demi-muids. The lees are stirred up (bâtonnage) for the first 2-3 months adding texture to the wine.

40-30% takes place in stainless steel vats. The remaining 60-70% is aged in demimuids (600 litres) barrels, 10% of which are made of new wood and 90% of wood previously used for one to three wines.

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

  • “Le Méal”: characterized by a soil of very old fluvio-glacial alluvial deposits with a high pebble content.
  • “Les Murets”: whose soil is clay-gravel. Its red clays give the wines a full, rich character.
  • “Chante-Alouette”: a high-lying terroir whose soil is a mixture of loess and very finely decomposed granite. It gives the wine freshness, salinity and acidity.

  • The different plots (Méal, Murets and Chante-Alouette) are mainly located in the Ermite lieu-dit area, on high plateaus and plains with excellent exposure

Grapes: Marsanne
Certificates: Organic/Biodynamic

Tasting Notes

Complex yet subtle, with aromas of quince, walnut, honey, ginger, acacia with a hint of linden-tree. The palate it is very elegant with a fine and lengthy finish.

Lobster, fish or poultry in a cream sauce. Goat cheeses, blue cheeses, spicy dishes (excellent with green curry), or with mushroom or truffle-based dishes.

Winter was unusually mild with balmy temperatures continuing into a dry spring, prompting an early budbreak. Vine growth slowed in May due to frost and hail, reducing yields. These cool temperatures were met with a sizzling heatwave in July followed by localized rains, offering replenishment and soil hydration. Early picking reduced the solar effect and despite these climatic extremes, the harvest of 2019 is considered an excellent vintage.

Grapes are hand-harvested at maturity. The musts are obtained after a long pressing and are lightly settled before fermentation. Part of the fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks and part in demi-muids. The lees are stirred up (bâtonnage) for the first 2-3 months adding texture to the wine. 40-30% takes place in stainless steel vats.

The remaining 60-70% is aged in demimuids (600 litres) barrels, 10% of which are made of new wood and 90% of wood previously used for one to three wines.

The grapes from which this wine is produced comes from three different vineyards: Le Méal”, characterized by a soil of very old fluvial-glacial alluvial deposits with a high pebble content. “Les Murets”, whose soil is clay-gravel, the red clay give the wines a full, rich character. “Chante-Alouette”, a high lying terroir whose soil is a mixture of loess and very finely decomposed granite, it gives the wine freshness, salinity and acidity. The different plots are mainly located in the Ermite lieu-dit, on high plateaus and plains with excellent exposure.

Grapes: 100% Marsanne
Alcohol by Volume: 14%

Tasting Notes

Complex yet subtle, with aromas of quince, walnut, honey, ginger, acacia with a hint of linden-tree. On the palate it is very elegant with a good length.

Lobster, fish or poultry in a cream sauce. Goat cheeses, blue cheeses, spicy dishes (excellent with green curry), or with mushroom or truffle-based dishes.

Grapes are hand-harvested at maturity. The musts are obtained after a long pressing and are lightly settled before fermentation. Part of the fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks and part in demi-muids. The lees are stirred up (b tonnage) for the first 2-3 months adding texture to the wine. 40-30% takes place in stainless steel vats. The remaining 60-70% is aged in demimuids (600 litres) barrels, 10% of which are made of new wood and 90% of wood previously used for one to three wines.

The grapes from which this wine is produced comes from three different vineyards: Le Méal”, characterized by a soil of very old fluvial-glacial alluvial deposits with a high pebble content. “Les Murets”, whose soil is clay-gravel, the red clay give the wines a full, rich character. “Chante-Alouette”, a highlying terroir whose soil is a mixture of loess and very finely decomposed granite, it gives the wine freshness, salinity and acidity. The different plots are mainly located in the Ermite lieu-dit area, on high plateaus and plains with excellent exposure.

Grapes: 100% Marsanne
Alcohol by Volume: 14%
Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/L
pH: 3.47
Total Acidity: 4.3 g/L
Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes
Certifications: Organic/Biodynamic

Tasting Notes

This wine is complex but subtle, with aromas of quince, walnut, honey, ginger, acacia with a hint of linden-tree. On the palate it is very elegant with a good length.

Lobster, fish or poultry in a cream sauce. Goat cheeses, blue cheeses, spicy dishes (excellent with green curry), or with mushroom or trufflebased dishes.

Grapes are hand-harvested at maturity. The musts are obtained after a long pressing and are lightly settled before fermentation. Part of the fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks and part in demi-muids. The lees are stirred up (bâtonnage) for the first 2-3 months adding texture to the wine. 40-30% takes place in stainless steel vats. The remaining 60-70% is aged in demimuids (600 litres) barrels, 10% of which are made of new wood and 90% of wood previously used for one to three wines.

The grapes from which this wine is produced comes from three different vineyards: Le Méal”, characterized by a soil of very old fluvial-glacial alluvial deposits with a high pebble content. “Les Murets”, whose soil is clay-gravel, the red clay give the wines a full, rich character. “Chante-Alouette”, a highlying terroir whose soil is a mixture of loess and very finely decomposed granite, it gives the wine freshness, salinity and acidity. The different plots are mainly located in the Ermite lieu-dit area, on high plateaus and plains with excellent exposure.

Grapes: 100% Marsanne
Alcohol by Volume: 14%
Residual Sugar: 1.5 g/L
pH: 3.44
Total Acidity: 2.69 g/L
Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes
Certifications: Organic/Biodynamic

  • 20240516

    92

    Points

    Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2024

    "From a vintage that has proved very successful for the region's white wines, Chapoutier's 2021 Hermitage Chante-Alouette features aromas of beeswax, almond skin, melon and tangerine. It's medium-bodied, round, concentrated, nicely balanced and harmonious, with a long, citrusy finish."

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  • 20240502

    94

    Points

    James Suckling, May 2024

    "At first this is a bit closed, but with some aeration in the glass the ripe peach and Mirabelle plums from the beautifully ripe marsanne emerge. Excellent concentration and a wonderful vitality in spite of the moderate acidity. Then comes the saline minerality, which is married to a touch of bitter almonds in the long, structured finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025."

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  • 20241115

    95

    points

    Wine Spectator, November 2024

    "Shows impressive concentration, with a layer of melon, quince and heather supported by a foundation of wet stone. Lightly honeyed and well defined, the palate shows beautiful integration and drive. Reveals echoing notes of dried verbana, white tea tannins and salted, buttery brioche on the lingering finish."

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  • 20231121

    95

    points

    Decanter, November 2023

    "Appealingly ripe, primarily apricot fruit with mango notes. Full bodied but not fat, with good weight, presence, mango-like acidity and deft oak work helping to underpin the rich fruit. Tangy, spicy finish of impressive length, ending with tobacco and cinnamon. An authentic white Hermitage with freshness and grandeur but also drinkability. A very good, classic vintage of this cuvée."

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  • 20230505

    95

    points

    James Suckling, May 2023

    "Shows impressive concentration, with a layer of melon, quince and heather supported by a foundation of wet stone. Lightly honeyed and well defined, the palate shows beautiful integration and drive. Reveals echoing notes of dried verbana, white tea tannins and salted, buttery brioche on the lingering finish."

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  • 20220120

    92

    points

    Wine Advocate, January 2022

    "Chapoutier's blended Hermitage blanc is the 2020 Hermitage Chante-Alouette, which was bottled at the end of August 2021. Almost entirely Marsanne, it boasts scents of gently toasted marshmallow, pear and citrus on the nose. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied and less concentrated than the selections parcellaires wines, but it’s charming and nicely focused, finishing long, vibrant and refreshing."

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  • 20231121

    94

    points

    Decanter, November 2023

    "Open and pronounced, showing rich, ripe mango and honeysuckle. Very full bodied, with a lovely, smooth, silky and juicy mouthfeel. The acidity is tangy and present, and helps to balance the quite potent alcohol, which adds further weight and intensity. Remarkable concentration and depth, very powerful. Richer than a classic year, with great intensity."

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  • 20220120

    93

    points

    Wine Advocate, January 2022

    "Blended from the lieux-dits of Les Murets, Le Méal and the loess portion of L'Ermite, the 2019 Hermitage Chante-Alouette is a ripe, rich wine marked by notes of toasty oak, pear, pineapple, melon and citrus. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky in feel across the mid-palate, then long and zesty-briny on the finish. It can be consumed young or after a decade of cellaring."

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  • 20231121

    94

    points

    Decanter, November 2023

    "Lovely nose, like a freshly cut mango, with subtle tobacco and cigar notes behind. Full bodied, rich and powerful, displaying a touch of oatmeal and noticeable oak spice inlaid in the long finish. Already complex and showing development, this is deliciously ripe and approachable. Unlikely to be the longest-living Chante-Alouette, but it's enjoyably succulent and fleshy."

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  • 2023-12-01

    94

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

    "An array of complex layers lure you into the glass: an orchard of apple and pear, fresh lemon zest, quince, squeeze of fresh pineapple, yellow lily and marzipan, underpinned with raw almond. The palate is complex with an intense layer of stone topped with jackfruit, lemongrass and honeysuckle. Cellar well through 2030+ or enjoy now with rich spicy dishes. — Anna-Christina Cabrales"

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  • 20220531

    94

    points

    Wine Spectator, May 2022

    "Lovely, with a mix of fresh and dried peach, yellow apple and quince flavors, along with honeysuckle, salted butter and heather notes. The long finish has a nice tease of quinine for contrast amid the fruit. Drink now through 2030"

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2020 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – 95 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

2020 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – 95 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2018 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – 94 points, Wine Spectator – Shelftalker

2020 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – 95 points, Wine Spectator – Shelftalker

2019 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – 94 points, Decanter – Shelftalker

M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – Beauty

M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – Vintage Note

M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – Bottle

M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc – Label