M.CHAPOUTIER

Cotations

Robert Parker 99

The more flamboyant, California-styled 2011 Ermitage Le Meal Blanc is from a warmer site with a more southerly exposure. It offers up notes of wet rocks, tangerines, peaches and a striking scent reminiscent of the famous New Orleans dish, bananas Foster. I know that sounds weird, but that’s what it smelled like when I first put my nose in the glass. This exuberant, exotic, ostentatious white Hermitage may be controversial, but for me, it was over-the-top perfection.

Jeb Dunuck (The Rhone Report) : 97

Much more rich, voluptuous, and textured, the 2010 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc Le Méal offers up spectacular aromas and flavors of carmelized peaches, honey, orange zest, quince, and searing minerality. Full-bodied, decadent, and exceedingly rich, yet also light on the palate and even graceful, this awesome Hermitage Blanc can be enjoyed now, or over the coming 2-3 decades.

Les Meilleurs vins de France 2011 (la guide la RVF)

19/20 "...Dans la trilogie des hermitages, le Méal possède l'expression la plus complète..."

Wine Spectator - Mai 2011

L'Ermitage Le Méal Blanc 2010 est un superbe exemple d’une puissance exacerbée, avec des notes typiques de mangue mûre, de kaki, de raisin bien mûr, de beurre doux, de melon qui se marient admirablement sur la finale.

Robert Parker 96-98

The 2010 Ermitage Le Meal Blanc,
which comes from a warmer site,
displays more tropical fruit, with loads
of red currants intermixed with mango,
orange marmalade, and exotic Asian
scents. Dense, full-bodied, intense
and rich, this is
the most voluptuous and opulent of
the blockbuster selections Parcellaires
whites of 2010. It should drink well for
30-35 years.

Wine Advocate # 175 Février 2008

98. The warmest terroir for the white Ermitage cuvees is Le Meal, an upper mid-slope terroir with a great exposition.The multi-dimensional 2006 Ermitage Le Meal blanc has mouthsearing levels of acidity as well as phenomenal intensity, compelling richness, and a full-bodied power. No matter how many times I taste these wines, they are shockingly profound and are to be admired, as one of America?s first wine lovers, Thomas Jefferson, said when he called them ?the greatest white wines of France.?

Wine Advocate # 175 Février 2008

96. The warmest terroir for the white Ermitage cuvees is Le Meal, an upper mid-slope terroir with a great exposition.The most flamboyant of these wines, the 2005 Ermitage Le Meal blanc, exhibits notes of buttered citrus, copious tropical fruit, crushed rocks, white currants, and an amazing amount of honeysuckle allied with good acidity and enormous body.

Wine Advocate #163 (Feb 2006)

98-100/ 100
The Chapoutier single vineyard whites for 2004 all possess 15% alcohol and are not far off the 2003s but they possess completely different aromatic and flavor profiles.

Wine Advocate #156 (Dec 2004)

98-100/100. The 2003 Ermitage Le Meal blanc may be the finest dry white I have ever tasted. Providing a prodigious tasting experience, it is filled with honeyed citrus, an unctuous stoniness to the fruit character, amazing body, and abundant freshness, precision, and length (the finish lasts nearly 90 seconds). A legend in the making, it is an incredible effort. This white Hermitage cuvee is off the charts. It tips the scales between 14.5-16.1% alcohol, and is a candidate for perfection. This white will be bottled without fining or filtration.

Robert PARKER

Note : 92-95 / 100

Guide Bettane et Desseauve 2005

8,5/10

Robert PARKER

Note : 97 / 100

Clives COATES (THE VINE / UK) July 2000

Fat and concentrated. Lots of depth. this is round, ripe and fine. Still very young of course. Certainly very good. From 2003.

Robert PARKER

Note : 95 / 100

Clives COATES (THE VINE / UK) July 2000

Lovely fruit here. Full, concentrated and profound. Excellent acidity. This is fine. Complex. Lots of depth. Delicious. 2002-2010.

Robert PARKER

Note : 96 / 100

Steve TANZER (International Wine Cellar / USA) Février / Mars 2000

(seulement 11 hl/ha produits par des vignes âgées de 75 ans ; ce vin a séjourné dans du chêne neuf pendant 12 mois). Le nez libère des arômes sauvages de gibier, de chêne épicé et de framboise. Très concentré sans être lourd, ce vin offre des arômes fascinants de gibier et d'épices, avec un soupçon de petits fruits rouges. La finale est très longue. Un vin blanc tout à fait étonnant. 93.

Steve TANZER (International Wine Cellar / USA) Février / Mars 2000

(just 11 h/h produced by 75-year-old vines; this was in new oak for 12 months) : Wild aromas of game, oak spice and raspberry. Very concentrated but not heavy ; fascinating game and spice flavors, with a suggestion of red berries. Very long on the finish. Thoroughly intriguing white wine. 93.

Clives COATES (THE VINE / UK) July 2000

Richer but more mineral than the white Ermitage "De l’Orée" 1997. Very good grip. Cool and classy. Plenty of depth. Fine. Now-2006+

Robert PARKER

Note : 96-100 / 100

Dégustation

Robe : jaune or, brillant.
Nez : intense, très minéral, notes de céleri, boisé discret et intégré.
Bouche : attaque ample, grasse, très fine et belle fraîcheur exotique, amandes grillées.
Selon le millésime, le vin peut être conservé de 30 à 60 ans, voire même de 50 à 75 ans.

Les Conseils du Sommelier

Foie gras. Langouste, homard au beurre blanc. Lamproie à la bordelaise. Veau maringo. Saint Félicien aux truffes.

Millésime 2005