Hermitage Chante-Alouette, M. Chapoutier 2021

Hermitage is the northern Rhône's most famous and sought-after appellation, producing only limited amounts of deeply expressive, long-lived wine. This one's from Michel Chapoutier, a long-time advocate of biodynamic farming, using fruit from three top sites across the Hermitage hill. It's partly aged in oak for added depth, with ripe peach, roasted nuts, white flowers and a faint saline twist running through. Marsanne is the variety behind it all - rich, structured and full of character, but never overblown. It's already showing plenty of complexity, with the promise of more to come over time.

Perfect with roast chicken, monkfish or creamy mushroom dishes - anything rich enough to match the depth and layered texture. Drinking well now and will hold up nicely into the mid-2030s.

Indisputably one of the Rhône's greats, M. Chapoutier boasts a rich history dating back to 1808 in Tain l'Hermitage. The estate's holdings are impressive, spanning the length of the Rhône and beyond, even reaching Australia. Yet, it's the arrival of Michel Chapoutier in 1990 that marks a turning point. His championing of biodynamic viticulture, coupled with exceptional vineyard sites, catapulted Chapoutier back to the top tier of Rhône producers. Their commitment to natural practices is absolute - no herbicides or pesticides, and a belief in biodiversity within the vineyards. Interestingly, their labels feature Braille since the mid-1990s. Today, they own Europe's largest biodynamic vineyard and create some of the Rhône's most iconic wines. Driven by Michel's energy, Chapoutier continues to acquire prime vineyards, cementing their status as a leader in the region.