M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2011

Members of the Chapoutier family have been working in the Rhône valley since 1808. A distant ancestor, Polydor Chapoutier, was the first to buy vines here, shifting from being a simple grape grower to making and trading his own wine. The pioneering spirit was already part of the family tradition. Michel, now in his forties, manages an exceptional Estate, a land rich in history and tradition. Passionately interested in expressing the character of the soil, Michel has found the means to give free rein to his convictions. A new era for the winery, welcoming changes that link traditions of the past with Michel’s daring convictions. A matter of time. Much as with every natural element, what matters is weather and earth, roots, vines and fruit. This is the basis for all the diversity and generosity of Maison M. Chapoutier. Biodynamics: two words adding up to an essential value: bio, as in life, and dynamics, for action. For its own vines Maison M. Chapoutier has adopted biodynamic farming techniques. This demanding approach is backed by a genuine conviction and a fierce determination to allow the earth to live and express itself. Making AoC wines principally means giving full expression to a terroir (soil, climate, people). This process, transforming mineral potential into plant life, can only occur on a vibrant terroir, capable of transmitting its vitality and energy.