We have a rare gem with a bit of age from Chapoutier today at this great pricing. This is 2018, sourced from the Lieu dit "Neve," a 2.5-hectare vineyard in Ampuis, where Syrah is grown on schist and mica-schist soils. Michel Chapoutier, known for biodynamic viticulture and single-parcel winemaking, began managing the family estate in 1989, emphasizing terroir expression as one of the biggest and most standout names of the Northern Rhone. The 2018 vintage was marked by a warm growing season with concentrated, ripe fruit due to warm, dry conditions, balanced by freshness from cool nights. Fermentation occurred in open concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts, followed by aging in French oak barrels (25% new) for 14-18 months. The wine reflects the robust and structured profile typical of Côte-Rôtie from this vintage with excellent notes of flowers, red and purple fruits, spice, and minerals. It's absolutely gorgeous and one of the best vintages of this wine ever.
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points! "Coming from more mica-schist soils, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Nève was all destemmed and spent 18 months in 30% new French oak. Incredible notes of black raspberries, incense, acacia flowers, camphor, and a marine-like minerality all emerge from the glass of this beauty, and it turns more earthy, darker, and even more mineral-laced as it sits in the glass. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a seamless, weightless texture, ripe yet firm tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and just a classy, elegant, age-worthy style. I'd give bottles 3-5 years in a cold cellar and it should evolve for 20+. (Drink between 2023-2045)"
Wine Advocate (Joe Czerwinski) 95-98 points! "Chapoutier's 2018 Cote Rotie Neve features stunning scents of violets, purple raspberries and cassis. It's full-bodied, rich and creamy-textured in the mouth, turning silky on the finish. Concentrated but elegant, it showcases the amazing potential of the Neve lieu-dit."
Vinous (Josh Raynolds) 95 points! "Opaque violet color. Expansive, mineral-accented aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, allspice, candied flowers, vanilla and licorice, and a smoky nuance builds in the glass. Seamless, sweet and energetic on the palate, offering intense kirsch, boysenberry, salty olive and fruitcake flavors that spread out and pick up a spicy nuance with aeration. Quite powerful but elegant as well, showing fine balance and well-knit tannins that frame an extremely long, floral- and spice-driven finish. One-third new oak. (Drink between 2026-2036)"
2018 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie Nève
2018 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie Nève
We have a rare gem with a bit of age from Chapoutier today at this great pricing. This is 2018, sourced from the Lieu dit "Neve," a 2.5-hectare vineyard in Ampuis, where Syrah is grown on schist and mica-schist soils. Michel Chapoutier, known for biodynamic viticulture and single-parcel winemaking, began managing the family estate in 1989, emphasizing terroir expression as one of the biggest and most standout names of the Northern Rhone. The 2018 vintage was marked by a warm growing season with concentrated, ripe fruit due to warm, dry conditions, balanced by freshness from cool nights. Fermentation occurred in open concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts, followed by aging in French oak barrels (25% new) for 14-18 months. The wine reflects the robust and structured profile typical of Côte-Rôtie from this vintage with excellent notes of flowers, red and purple fruits, spice, and minerals. It's absolutely gorgeous and one of the best vintages of this wine ever.
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points! "Coming from more mica-schist soils, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Nève was all destemmed and spent 18 months in 30% new French oak. Incredible notes of black raspberries, incense, acacia flowers, camphor, and a marine-like minerality all emerge from the glass of this beauty, and it turns more earthy, darker, and even more mineral-laced as it sits in the glass. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a seamless, weightless texture, ripe yet firm tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and just a classy, elegant, age-worthy style. I'd give bottles 3-5 years in a cold cellar and it should evolve for 20+. (Drink between 2023-2045)"
Wine Advocate (Joe Czerwinski) 95-98 points! "Chapoutier's 2018 Cote Rotie Neve features stunning scents of violets, purple raspberries and cassis. It's full-bodied, rich and creamy-textured in the mouth, turning silky on the finish. Concentrated but elegant, it showcases the amazing potential of the Neve lieu-dit."
Vinous (Josh Raynolds) 95 points! "Opaque violet color. Expansive, mineral-accented aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, allspice, candied flowers, vanilla and licorice, and a smoky nuance builds in the glass. Seamless, sweet and energetic on the palate, offering intense kirsch, boysenberry, salty olive and fruitcake flavors that spread out and pick up a spicy nuance with aeration. Quite powerful but elegant as well, showing fine balance and well-knit tannins that frame an extremely long, floral- and spice-driven finish. One-third new oak. (Drink between 2026-2036)"
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