M. Chapoutier
Tain-l'Hermitage négociant-grower turned biodynamic standard-bearer, famous for single-vineyard Hermitage and Braille labels.
About M.
Based at the foot of the hill of Hermitage in Tain-l'Hermitage, M. Chapoutier traces its family roots in the Rhône to 1808, though the wine business proper began when Polydor Chapoutier bought his first vineyards in 1879. The house was transformed after Michel Chapoutier took charge in 1990 and converted the estate to biodynamic viticulture beginning in 1991, becoming one of the most prominent biodynamic producers in France. Chapoutier is the largest vineyard owner on the hill of Hermitage and bottles a celebrated range of single-site (lieu-dit) cuvées including Le Pavillon, Le Méal and L'Ermite, alongside wines from Côte-Rôtie and the wider Rhône. The estate was also a pioneer of accessibility, introducing Braille on its labels in 1994. Today the wines remain a benchmark for terroir-driven Syrah and white Hermitage from Marsanne and Roussanne.
Flagship wines
- Ermitage Le Pavillon
- Ermitage L'Ermite
- Ermitage Le Méal
- Monier de la Sizeranne Hermitage
Editorial notes
Single-vineyard Ermitage bottlings reward long cellaring and benefit from extended decanting; white Hermitage (Marsanne/Roussanne) ages remarkably well.