Chapoutier: Wine Styles, Prices, Best Wines (2024)

Keen to discover all about Maison Chapoutier wine before buying one?

One of the oldest wineries of Rhone Valley, France, Maison M. Chapoutier is famous for delectable red and white wines that are grand expressions of the unique Rhone Valley terroir.

Interestingly, in 2013 alone, 13 vintages from M. Chapoutier scored 100 points from the acclaimed wine critic - Robert Parker.

What makes Chapoutier wines unique?

What are the best Chapoutier wines for your collection?

This article explores everything about the M. Chapoutier winery - its fascinating history, biodynamic farming and winemaking, unique wine styles, and The Best Chapoutier Wines To Buy In 2024.

You will also discover A Super-Easy Way To Invest in the best wines in the world.

A Quick Intro To The Iconic Maison Chapoutier

Domaine M. Chapoutier is a family-owned French wine estate located in the Tain l’Hermitage area of the Rhone Valley.

The Chapoutier family winery produces a range of exotic red and white Rhone wines from the Hermitage appellation (in northern Rhone.) The Hermitage appellation red wines are made from Syrah grapes, while the whites are produced from Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier grapes.

In southern Rhone, Chapoutier produces exotic wines in Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape.

Outside France, Chapoutier also owns and operates wine estates in Australia, Spain, and Portugal.

Their stunning collection is also displayed at their beautiful Fac & Spera cellars located across France.

Now let’s see how it all began.

A Brief History Of the M. Chapoutier Winery

Chapoutier’s journey to acquire the historic Calvet family wine estate began in 1897 when Marius Chapoutier, a wine grower, joined hands with Rodolphe Delepine (the company’s owner.)

After Rodolphe retired in 1992, Marius became the sole owner of the winery.

Marius purchased the La Ciboise property from Robert Monier de la Sizeranne (an art critic and writer) in 1928. He also built the Chapoutier winery at the foot of Hermitage hill.

Marius’ son, Marc, gave the firm its present name ‘M. Chapoutier’ after he succeeded his father.

In 1988, Michel Chapoutier joined his brother Marc in running the winery and took over the winery management in 1990.

The following years saw significant developments that made Michel Chapoutier's wines stand out:

• Michel introduced biodynamic farming that helped the wines reflect the nuances of the northern Rhone terroir. This kicked off the surge in popularity of Michel Chapoutier’s wines.
• In 1989, he created his first plot selections (single vineyard selections) - the first Hermitage winemaker to do so.
• In 1996, he included the braille script to the Chapoutier label to honor Maurice Monier de la Sizeranne (the creator of modern abbreviated braille.)
• In 1998, he bought his first wine estate in Australia.
• In the early 2000s, he expanded to the Roussillon region of France and purchased the first vine plantings in Portugal and Spain. He also developed new production sites in Alsace, Beaujolais, Provence, Crozes-Hermitage, and Tain.

Today, Michel’s children, Maxime and Mathilde, have joined hands to manage the wine estate.

The Terroir And Biodynamic Viticulture Of M. Chapoutier Vineyards

The Chapoutier family owns vineyard plots across (and even outside) Rhone Valley - each enjoying distinct terroirs. But their best pieces of land are located on the hills of the Hermitage appellation in Northern Rhone.

The steep Hermitage slopes have rich granite soils that produce rich, concentrated fruits.

The top Chapoutier vineyard plots like Le Pavillon and L’Ermite are located on south-facing slopes of northern Rhone Valley, so the vine plantings get maximum sunlight. The west slopes have weathered mica-schist soils, while to the east, the slopes are made from stony alluvial soils.

On the other hand, the southern Rhone and Roussillon vineyards experience a Mediterranean climate.

Michel Chapoutier’s enthusiasm is seen in each vineyard where he practices biodynamic farming. Some of these biodynamic practices include:

• Prohibiting the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides, and using organic matter to maintain soil health.
• Pruning the vines and harvesting the fruit according to the sun and moon cycles.
• Lowering the yields to produce concentrated fruit and more natural wine.

These unique biodynamic farming methods make Michel Chapoutier's wines one of the greatest wines of France.

So, what are the different styles of Chapoutier wine?

M. Chapoutier Wine Styles

The red and white Rhone wines that M. Chapoutier produces range from expensive single vineyard wines to simple table wines.

Let’s take a quick look at them.

A. Red Wines

Chapoutier’s red Rhone wines are made from grapes, including Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. Their greatest wines are the single vineyard Syrah wines produced from the top Chapoutier vineyard plots.

The Hermitage single vineyard selections are:

• Le Pavillon
• Le Meal
• L’Ermite
• Les Greffieux

They also produce single vineyard wines from Crozes-Hermitage, Cote Rotie, Saint-Joseph, and Chateauneuf du Pape appellations.

In addition to these single vineyard selections, they also produce several AOC wines like Monier de la Sizeranne, Cornas Les Arenes, Belleruche, Les Meysonniers, and a Chateauneuf-du-Pape red called La Bernardine.

B. White Wines

Chapoutier white wines are produced from Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties. One of their most popular Marsanne wines is Chante Alouette.

They also make a delicious Cote du Rhone wine ‘Belleruche Blanc’ from Grenache Blanc and a white Roussillon wine ‘Bila-Haut.’

Let’s take a look at the unique winemaking techniques at Chapoutier.

M. Chapoutier Winemaking Techniques

Along with biodynamic farming, Michel Chapoutier also practices biodynamic winemaking techniques.

Some of the primary biodynamic winemaking practices of this brilliant winemaker are:

• The fully ripened grapes are entirely destemmed.
• The destemmed grapes are macerated for 4-6 weeks in concrete vats.
• This is followed by fermentation in open tank fermenters.
• Following fermentation, the wine is aged in 40-50% new French oak casks. Aging in oak casks gives the wine smoky flavors.
• The wines are finally bottled without being filtered.

Now that you’ve discovered Chapoutier’s unique winemaking practices, how about finding the perfect dish for your delectable M. Chapoutier?

How To Serve M. Chapoutier Wines

Chapoutier’s wines taste best when served at 15-16oC (59-60.8oF.)

Serve your M. Chapoutier red wines with classic meat dishes like duck, lamb, beef, and pork to get the best of its flavors.

The white wines are best served with seafood dishes like shellfish, crab, lobster, and sushi.

Best M. Chapoutier Wines In 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here are some of the best M. Chapoutier wines to buy this year.

1. 1961 M. Chapoutier Hermitage

This 1961 Rhone Valley Syrah vintage is full of delicious aging notes. It is dominated by sour black cherry and smoked bacon aromas with subtle mint hints. The palate is smooth with balanced acidity, a subtle minerality, and an iron flavor.

Price of 1961 M. Chapoutier Hermitage: $3,000

2. 2013 M. Chapoutier Ermitage 'L'Ermite Blanc'

One of their best wines from the Hermitage appellation, the 2013 ‘L’Ermite Blanc’ is admired for its layered aromas. This northern Rhone vintage has a powerful bouquet of pineapple, tangerine, flower oil, mint, and caramelized citrus fruit. The wine has a rich and full-bodied palate.

Price of 2013 M. Chapoutier Ermitage 'L'Ermite Blanc': $848

3. 1982 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Velours

One of our favorite Rhone wines, the 1982 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Velours reveals the brilliance of Chapoutier’s winemaking.

This French wine gives off honey and floral aromas. Dried apricot flavor and meaty tannin give the palate a lingering finish.

Price of 1982 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Velours: $434

4. 2015 M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite

The 2015 M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite vintage scored a perfect 100 from Robert Parker.

It gives off an intense cassis aroma on the nose. On the palate, the wine is complex and balanced with a long finish.

Price of 2015 M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite: $498

5. 1992 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon

The nose of this excellent vintage gives off black fruit and green pepper aromas. The rich palate expresses the unique terroir with meaty tannin and subtle minerality.

Aging in oak casks has given the wine a distinct smoky flavor.

Price of 1992 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon: $534

6. 2010 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Vin de Paille

The 2010 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Vin de Paille has an intense apricot nose with green almond, honey, and orange zest aromas. The dominant fruit flavors are balanced by subtle sweet ginger notes.

Price of 2010 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Vin de Paille: $349

7. 2009 M. Chapoutier Ermitage de l'Oree Blanc

This Rhone Valley wine gives off a complex aroma of citrus oil, wet steel, crushed rocks, quince, white currants, anise, and honeysuckle. The palate has excellent depth.

Price of 2009 M. Chapoutier Ermitage de l'Oree Blanc: $292

8. 1996 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal

One of Chapoutier’s greatest wines, Le Meal is a must-try red wine for every wine enthusiast.

The nose of the 1996 Le Meal vintage gives off a ripe fruit aroma with leather hints. The palate is dry but full with lean tannin and a subtle minerality.

Price of 1996 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal: $358

9. 2010 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Blanc

The 2010 Le Meal Blanc vintage gives off crème caramel, caramelized peach, crushed rock, and smoke aromas on the nose. The Le Meal white wine palate is a bit chewy with deep fruit flavors and a long finish.

Price of 2010 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Blanc: $325

10. 2014 M. Chapoutier Condrieu Coteaux de Chery

A must-try Chapoutier for every wine enthusiast, the Coteaux de Chery reflects the best expression of Rhone’s terroir.

This French wine has intense honeysuckle, peach, and apricot marmalade aromas. The palate is full-bodied with velvety tannin and a lingering finish.

Price of 2014 M. Chapoutier Condrieu Coteaux de Chery: $223

Now for the big question:

Should You Invest In M. Chapoutier Wines?

M. Chapoutier’s single-vineyard wines like Le Pavillon and Le Meal can comfortably spend 20-30 years in your cellar. And you can drink the best vintages for up to 60 years.

Over the years, M. Chapoutier wine prices have also remained stable with steady increases. Here are some examples:

• The 2017 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon went up 32% from $266 in 2019 to $352 in 2020.
• The 2017 Le Meal vintage rose 25% from $208 to $261 from Feb 2020 to Feb 2021.
• The 2010 M. Chapoutier ‘L’Ermite Blanc’ also went up by 36% from $442 in 2020 to $602 in 2021.

Besides, M. Chapoutier wines also consistently score 90+ points by top wine critics.

If you want to start adding Chapoutier wines to your collection, you should look at the 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, and 2001 vintages.

But how do you buy these fine wines without encountering a counterfeit bottle? How would you store them properly to make sure you get the best out of the wine?

The easiest way would be to buy and store your fine collectible wines through a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest.

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Add A Precious M. Chapoutier To Your Wine Collection

While the iconic winery is most famous for its Syrah red wines, it also makes some of the best white wines from Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties.

Chapoutier’s wines are not only perfect for your celebrations, but they also offer great long-term returns. So, if you’re looking for wine investment opportunities, then this wine from France is an excellent place to start.

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