Chapoutier Coteau de Chery Condrieu Blanco 2012

The Michel Chapoutier winery is a jewel of the Rhône Valley. It was founded in 1808 and is part of the history of the Côtes-du-Rhône. With the arrival of Michel Chapoutier in 1990, his leadership transformed the philosophy of winemaking in the Rhône. This philosophy is based on two basic principles: first, to seek out terroirs and get as close to them as possible, so much so that the plot becomes more important than the work of the winemaker. M. Chapoutier's viticulture is to reveal the terroir in the wine and this gives an incredible richness to the wines. Most of the wines from the Rhône are made from Syrah, and also Grenache, but M. Chapoutier's Syrah is different, it feels different. They work rigorously under the principles of biodynamics. M. Chapoutier has a very extensive line of wines and they all follow the same principle, the vintage year is left as is: no chaptalization, no addition of yeasts or acidifiers. The grapes come from weathered granitic soils and mica schists. The plot faces south. The grapes are pressed in whole clusters. Fermentation is thermoregulated in barrels at 17°C with indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged 8 months in 600-liter demi-muids and then 2 months in vats. I considered rating Chapoutier's 2012 Condrieu Coteaux du Chery even higher, and it is certainly up there with the best cuvées from Vernay, Guigal and Perret. Perfumed, floral and classic, with lots of apricot, mandarin, orange blossom and floral qualities, this beauty has a full-bodied richness and texture, but remains pure, elegant and seamless. He is a heavenly Condrieu. (Robert Parker SIC) RP 96