Saturday, March 11th
at Le Petit Bijou
Mr. Fred Wright will be here to pour a stunning line-up from reknowned Biodynamic Rhone Producer, Chapoutier!
"Michel Chapoutier shares his convictions with young winemakers. Appellations (AOC-AOP) and Biodynamics are both part of Michel’s main battles.
The braille characters on all the labels of his bottles remain as a symbol of his personality and of his “pionniering spirit”. Michel is a “pathfinder”, a free man in a free world… he explores tirelessly."
Chapoutier Wine Tasting at Le Petit Bijou! 2-4pm, $20. Call 256-964-7980 to reserve!
NV Chapoutier La Combe Pilate Estabn Sparkling, Rhone Valley, France $38.99
Pale gold with anise tints. The nose is bursting with freshness displaying aromas of citrus and chilled yellow-fleshed and stone fruit. The palate is tangy on entry with freshness and good balance, elegantly coated by the bubbles. Notes of grapefruit peel, bergamot and apricot with a tasty, saline finish.
2020 Chapoutier La Combe Pilate Viognier Collines Rhodaniennes, Rhone Valley, France $25.99
Pale gold with aniseed-colored highlights. The nose is delicate with notes of bergamot and flint stone. Very fresh on the palate, dominated by the typical Viognier flavors. On the mid-palate, there is good balance between the acidic tension associated with its terroir of origin and the natural full body of the varietal and its ageing. The finish is savory, bringing out the rustic and mineral overtones.
2021 Chapoutier La Ciboise Blanc, Luberon, Rhone Valley, France $17.99
La Ciboise is named after the home of Michel Chapoutier's grandfather, located in the town of Tain l'Hermitage.
A blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Ugni Blanc and Rousanne, all from sustainable vineyards, this wine features the aroma of white blossom, lemon and exotic fruit. The fresh flavors and round texture are perfectly balanced, with a long finish.
2020 Chapoutier Petitie Ruche Blanc Croze-Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France $29.99
100% Syrah. This Crozes-Hermitage is vinified in cement vats with a daily pumping over. Vatting lasts between 2 and 3 weeks after the alcoholic fermentation. Fresh and round, green apple, very floral, exotic fruits, citrus aromas.
2020 Chapoutier Belleruche Rouge Cotes-du-Rhone, Rhone Valley, France $15.99
The wine is a deep garnet red color. The aromas are intense, fruity (blackcurrant/ raspberry) and complemented by notes of white pepper. On the palate, this wine is juicy, powerful and fruity (red fruits notes) on the palate, with lovely roasted notes. There are silky and delicate tannins.
2020 Chapoutier Petit Ruche Rouge Croze-Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France $32.99
Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône, making red wines from Syrah, although up to 15% Marsanne or Roussanne is permitted in red wines. The Petite Ruche Crozes-Hermitage Rouge is 100% Syrah harvested from rocky terraces which gives the fruit a distinct roundness and finesse. It presents a beautiful nose of red berries, blackcurrant and raspberry followed by a rich and smooth palate with beautiful freshness and roundness.
2012 Chapoutier Banyuls Rimage Roussillon, Rhone Valley, France $21.99
Depending on age, the wine goes from garnet red to mahogany. The nose displays a powerful shift between black fruit and red berries, giving it a lovely freshness, subtly complemented by notes of cocoa. The palate is sumptuous balance between solar strength of the wine and the fineness of its tannins. It has a great persistency with sweetness which develops greedily.
The maceration is long with an addition of alcohol, or fortified to favor the extraction of aromas and tannins. The wine is aged for 8 months in vat in a reducing environment. After bottling, and before its release for sale, the wine undergoes another 3 months’ ageing.