2022, Domaine de la Chapelle, HERMITAGE, La Chapelle Blanc, 'Le Chevalier de Sterimberg'A stunning vintage to usher in a new chapter for Domaine de la Chapelle. Owner Caroline Frey has made the decision to produce a single Hermitage cuve from their exceptional terroir, rather than two, as was done for many years during the best vintages, with the tiny production of La Chapelle Blanc in addition to Le Chevalier de Sterimberg. This means that the Maison Blanche plots will now stay in blend every year; the new label reads La Chapelle, Le

You really feel the limestone in the glass

Originally owned

incense and raw cocoa

with a little bit more fruit building behind

lavender and crushed rocks open in the glass

as this delivers a sense of verticality and lift through the palate

The palate is silky and balanced thanks to ripe and fine tannins

The medium weight flavours are at once rich yet reasonably precise and more mineral-driven before culminating in a muscular and solidly complex if firmly structured and youthfully austere finale

delicate opening

The 2022 Rieussec has a precise bouquet with mineral-infused honeyed fruit

finishing fantastically long and mineral laced

sappy quality