M. Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2016 Magnum

M. Chapoutier, one of the Rhône Valley’s most revered wine producers, has a legacy of innovation and a commitment to showcasing terroir-driven wines. Established in 1808 in Tain-l’Hermitage, the Chapoutier family acquired the winery in the late 19th century, but it was under Michel Chapoutier that the estate underwent a revolutionary transformation. Michel brought a dynamic vision and made significant changes, including shifting to biodynamic farming and emphasizing single-vineyard wines to express individual terroirs. His approach not only elevated the winery's reputation but also set a benchmark for quality in the Rhône Valley and beyond.

Michel Chapoutier is a trailblazer in adopting biodynamic viticulture, which emphasizes working in harmony with nature and the lunar cycle to enhance the vitality of the vineyard. Chapoutier began converting vineyards to biodynamics in the early 1990s, long before it became a widespread practice. Today, the estate is recognized as one of the largest biodynamic producers in the world. Chapoutier's philosophy is centered on expressing the soul of the terroir. The estate places a significant emphasis on lieu-dit (single-vineyard) wines, especially in the Northern Rhône, where vineyards like Le Méal, Les Greffieux, and L’Ermite produce some of the region's most iconic Syrah and Marsanne wines.

In 1996, Chapoutier became the first wine producer to include Braille on its labels, a nod to Michel’s commitment to accessibility and innovation. This initiative honors Maurice de la Sizeranne, a Hermitage landowner who invented the Sizeranne Braille system and whose family vineyard is now part of Chapoutier’s holdings.

Our experiences with M.Chapoutier wines have been limited however we are very excited to exploring the wines more over the next few years, how can we resist? Recent reports, M. Chapoutier has achieved over 40 wines rated at 100 points, making Michel Chapoutier one of the most consistently lauded winemakers in the world.