2021, Domaine de La Chapelle, Hermitage Le Chevalier de Sterimberg Blanc 2021
Paul Jaboulet Aine

The 2021 vintage

Weather conditions

The autumn of 2020 was not very wet, except in December, which helped to balance the water deficit. After a relatively mild winter, the spring was early and vegetation started to grow rapidly, 15 days ahead of schedule. However, vegetative development slowed down very quickly with the drop in temperature. Episodes of black frost were recorded during the nights of April 7 to 9 with temperatures between -1°C and -6°C. Spring was cool and rainfall was abundant in May. Flowering took place rapidly and in good conditions around June 7. The summer was also very wet with temperatures below normal.

Tasting notes

Attractive pale gold colour with bright blond highlights. This wine has a complex nose with floral and white-fleshed fruit notes. The attack is lively, with a fine, persistent acidity that gives the wine a certain direction and carries through to the finish. The mid-palate is full-bodied, with aromas of vine peach. Complexity and a fine balance between substance and acidity.

Fascinating nose that combines notes of white flowers with stone fruit and complex vegetal aromas. Both right and structured, this has a tone of wet stone minerality and wild herb freshness. Long complete finish with a wonderful silky texture. A cuvee of roughly two-thirds marsanne and one-third roussanne. Matured in a combination of concrete eggs and demi-muid oak casks. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

- James Suckling, 95 points