M. Chapoutier : Neve 2019

A dense and refined red wine from Côte-Rôtie

The estate

Established since 1808 in Tain-L’Hermitage, the M. Chapoutier House today embodies the elite of the greatest names in the wines of the Rhône Valley.

As a winemaker and merchant, Michel Chapoutier has managed to lead this family business to the top over the vintages. The wines of the Maison Chapoutier are recognized for their refinement and high quality by the finest connoisseurs beyond borders. A man of many hats, Michel Chapoutier holds the world record for 100/100 scores awarded by American critic Robert Parker. Mathilde, Michel Chapoutier's daughter, has taken up the torch of this iconic house, overseeing a vineyard of over 350 hectares across the most prestigious appellations of the Rhône Valley, but also in Roussillon, Australia, and Portugal.

The vineyard

The Neve 2019 cuvée from M. Chapoutier is a Côte-Rôtie wine from vines planted on the slope of the Neve place in the town of Ampuis. Facing south/southeast, these vines rest on soils composed of schists and micaschists, with some veins of earth on the middle part of the slope.

Vinification and aging

After manual harvesting, the grapes are destemmed. The vinification is done in raw concrete vats. The alcoholic fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts. During this fermentation, the temperature gradually rises to reach 30-32 °C. The maceration lasts from 4 to 5 weeks with regular pumping over, accompanied by some punch downs. After racking for 24 to 48 hours to remove the coarsest lees, the juices are "hot" barreled in 228-liter Burgundy barrels, 25% to 30% of which are new. The aging lasts about 14 to 18 months depending on the vintage.

Blend

Syrah (100 %).

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Neve 2019 from M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Color
The color is endowed with a deep black hue with satin reflections.

Nose
The nose first reveals aromas of graphite and cold smoke, then evolves on notes of wild fruits and bramble leaves.

Palate
Dense from the attack, the palate seduces with its chiseled tannins, its aromas of black pepper and roasting, as well as its pure expression that extends on a saline finish.

Cellaring

This Rhône Valley wine can wait in the cellar until around 2029 to exhale all its aromatic nuances.

Service

For optimal tasting, serve between 18°C and 19°C.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine goes very well with small game (pheasant, thrush, woodcock).