Le Meal Ermitage Blanc

Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most recognizable and sizeable producers in the Rhone Valley. It is known for its wines from both the north and south of the valley, but in particular for its red and white Hermitage wines, made from Syrah and a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, respectively. Chapoutier is one of the oldest names in the Rhone valley. Founded in 1808 by the Calvet family, it was sold to the Chapoutier family in 1855. Today, Chapoutier is a massive negociant and winery located in the Rhone valley. Chapoutier also advocated keeping the wines unfiltered and unfined, and to work with only biodynamically and organically grown fruit across all of the vineyards. 
Chapoutier uses both spellings: "Hermitage" is featured on Chapoutier bottles made by blending several parcels together, while "Ermitage” is reserved for Chapoutier's plot-designated wines. The Ermitage-labeled wines still qualify as Hermitage AOC wines. 

The grapes producing “Le Méal” come from the Méal hillside. This is an old fluvio-glacial alluvial deposit soil with shingles which contribute to the soil warming. The vines are more than 50 years old.

Lurid yellow-gold. Penetrating aromas of ripe, mineral-accented citrus and pit fruits are complicated by hints of chalky minerals, saffron and chamomile. Juicy, smoky and deeply concentrated but lithe on the palate, offering densely packed peach nectar, pear liqueur, Meyer lemon and buttered toast flavors that show superb drive and focus. The mineral note repeats emphatically on the incisive, smoke-laced finish, which lingers with outstanding persistence.