M. Chapoutier Le Méal Blanc

AOP Hermitage, Rhône, France

Tasting Notes

Colour: golden yellow, brilliant.
Nose: intense, very mineral, celery overtones, slight and well-integrated hint of wood.
Palate: ample attack, well-rounded, fine exotic freshness, roasted almond. According to the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years, indeed from 50 to 75 years

Assorted meat and vegetarian terrines, crayfish, lobster, poultry in cream sauce, Goat's cheese, blue cheese Spicy dishes and green curry.

The grapes are hand-harvested generally at very good maturity (the potential alcohol content is above 14% vol.).

After pressing the entire grapes, the must is cold settling between 24 and 48 hours. About 50% of the volume is vinified in big new wooden barrels (600 liters), the others ferment in vats.

Before bottling, the wine is aged in casks, with stirrings of the lees, and is checked by frequent tastings. This is organoleptic criteria which determine the length of the wooded period. In general, bottling happens from 10 to 12 months after harvesting.

The grapes producing “Le Méal” come from the Méal hillside. This is an old fluvioglacial alluvial deposit soil with shingles which contribute to the soil warming.

The vines (more than 50 years old) give low production and guarantee high quality.

Varietal: Marsanne
Certificates: Organic/Biodynamic

Tasting Notes

Colour: golden yellow, brilliant.
Nose: intense, very mineral, celery overtones, slight and well-integrated hint of wood.
Palate: ample attack, well-rounded, fine exotic freshness, roasted almond. According to the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years, indeed from 50 to 75 years

Assorted meat and vegetarian terrines, crayfish, lobster, poultry in cream sauce, Goat's cheese, blue cheese Spicy dishes and green curry.

The grapes are hand-harvested generally at very good maturity (the potential alcohol content is above 14% vol.).

After pressing the entire grapes, the must is cold settling between 24 and 48 hours. About 50% of the volume is vinified in big new wooden barrels (600 liters), the others ferment in vats.

Before bottling, the wine is aged in casks, with stirrings of the lees, and is checked by frequent tastings. This is organoleptic criteria which determine the length of the wooded period. In general, bottling happens from 10 to 12 months after harvesting.

The grapes producing “Le Méal” come from the Méal hillside. This is an old fluvioglacial alluvial deposit soil with shingles which contribute to the soil warming.

The vines (more than 50 years old) give low production and guarantee high quality.

Varietal: Marsanne
Certificates: Organic/Biodynamic

Tasting Notes

Colour: golden yellow, brilliant.
Nose: intense, very mineral, celery overtones, slight and well-integrated hint of wood.
Palate: ample attack, well-rounded, fine exotic freshness, roasted almond. According to the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years, indeed from 50 to 75 years

Assorted meat and vegetarian terrines, crayfish, lobster, poultry in cream sauce, Goat's cheese, blue cheese Spicy dishes and green curry.

The grapes are hand-harvested generally at very good maturity (the potential alcohol content is above 14% vol.).

After pressing the entire grapes, the must is cold settling between 24 and 48 hours. About 50% of the volume is vinified in big new wooden barrels (600 liters), the others ferment in vats.

Before bottling, the wine is aged in casks, with stirrings of the lees, and is checked by frequent tastings. This is organoleptic criteria which determine the length of the wooded period. In general, bottling happens from 10 to 12 months after harvesting.

The grapes producing “Le Méal” come from the Méal hillside. This is an old fluvioglacial alluvial deposit soil with shingles which contribute to the soil warming.

The vines (more than 50 years old) give low production and guarantee high quality.

Varietal: Marsanne
Certificates: Organic/Biodynamic

Tasting Notes

Colour: golden yellow, brilliant.
Nose: intense, very mineral, celery overtones, slight and well-integrated hint of wood.
Palate: ample attack, well-rounded, fine exotic freshness, roasted almond. According to the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years, indeed from 50 to 75 years

Assorted meat and vegetarian terrines, crayfish, lobster, poultry in cream sauce, Goat's cheese, blue cheese Spicy dishes and green curry.

The grapes are hand-harvested generally at very good maturity (the potential alcohol content is above 14% vol.).

After pressing the entire grapes, the must is cold settling between 24 and 48 hours. About 50% of the volume is vinified in big new wooden barrels (600 liters), the others ferment in vats.

Before bottling, the wine is aged in casks, with stirrings of the lees, and is checked by frequent tastings. This is organoleptic criteria which determine the length of the wooded period. In general, bottling happens from 10 to 12 months after harvesting.

The grapes producing “Le Méal” come from the Méal hillside. This is an old fluvioglacial alluvial deposit soil with shingles which contribute to the soil warming.

The vines (more than 50 years old) give low production and guarantee high quality.

Varietal: Marsanne
Certificates: Organic/Biodynamic

  • 20250505

    98

    Points

    James Suckling, May 2025

    "A harmonious yet bold white, full of character, texture and balance all at once. This showcases grilled peaches, dried lemon peel, warm spices and herbs plus some salt. Full-bodied, it has incredible drive, verve and energy but remains focused. Restrained power with some salted lemons toward the almost endless, precise finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink from 2027"

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  • 20240516

    95

    Points

    Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2024

    "Kicking off with notes of toasted grain and honeyed citrus, the 2021 Ermitage le Méal Blanc has lots going on, adding exotic stone fruit and pineapple. It's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and ripe, then turns a bit austere on the dry, chalky finish. While it lacks the overall harmony and elegance of the De l'Oree this vintage, it's still pretty compelling stuff."

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  • 20240502

    100

    Points

    James Suckling, May 2024

    "What an extraordinary interplay of smoky fresh pineapple and stony mineral character this super-concentrated but medium-bodied white Rhone has. The south and the north of wine (in the widest sense) meet in this singularity of the marsanne grape. Gigantic minerality in the totally focused and extremely long, pure finish. From a steep, south-facing slope. Enormous aging potential. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold"

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  • 20230505

    97

    Points

    James Suckling, May 2023

    "If you like wines with exotic fruit aromas here is a beautifully exotic white Hermitage that’s not a jot too rich, much less heavy. In spite of all the power and ripeness this has a zesty orange appeal throughout. A pure Marsanne grown on a very steep south-facing slope with old Rhone gravel soils with some loess on top. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold."

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  • 20220120

    96

    Points

    Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

    "This relatively warm, early-ripening terroir has yielded a wine that's full-bodied yet with an almost custard-like silky texture. Toasted grain, lemon custard, crushed stone, pear and melon notes mingle easily on the nose of Chapoutier's 2020 Ermitage le Méal Blanc. The long, zesty finish is marked by a slight hint of bitterness that seems to come into this parcellaire from time to time."

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  • 20220222

    96

    Points

    James Suckling, February 2022

    "Spectacularly complex nose of dried fruit (everything from pear to pineapple) with a whiff of smoke wafting through it. Very rich, but precisely contoured with a very impressive structure, the spiciness building towards the finish. Both succulent and refined at the fabulous, creamy finale. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold."

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  • 20220120

    96+

    Points

    Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

    "The 2019 Ermitage le Méal Blanc was initially tasted and reviewed last year. While I retasted it, my impressions were essentially the same as last time (reproduced here for the sake of completeness): The 2019 Ermitage le Méal Blanc boasts remarkable complexity, ranging from hints of pencil shavings and crushed stones to a range of ripe, honeyed fruit (pear, melon, citrus) and then into slightly spicy-herbal, salty elements that bring celery seed and fennel to mind. It's medium to full-bodied, broad and mouth coating on the palate, yet retains a terrific sense of freshness that revolves around gentle citrus pith/zest and salted licorice on the lingering finish."

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

M. Chapoutier Le Méal Blanc – Vintage Notes

M. Chapoutier Le Méal Blanc – Label

M. Chapoutier Le Méal Blanc – Bottle