Chapoutier is one of the oldest wine producers in the Rhone Valley with a history dating back to 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. For the last two hundred years, the estate has been producing some of the greatest wines in the Rhone Valley. Today, the range also includes wines from some Roussillon appellations as well as projects in Portugal and Australia.

Under Michel Chapoutier’s leadership, quality improved and Chapoutier gained international recognition. The massive negociant and winery produces single-vineyard expressions and classic wines from a range of appellations in the north and south of the valley.

They have adopted biodynamic farming techniques and have included Braille markings on their labels since 1996. This was done from a desire to reach out to and include lovers of good wines with sight-impairments, and as a tribute to Maurice Monier of La Sizeranne, a member of the family that previously owned the vines of the same name and who invented the first abbreviated version of Braille.

Chapoutier La Mordoree is made from Syrah vines of more than 60 years in age, from vineyard plots located on the border of the “Cote Blonde”. The grapes are hand-harvested at maturity, entirely de-stemmed and vinified in concrete tank. The wine is aged in oak casks, some new, for 14 to 18 months.

The wine has a deep red color. It has aromas of raspberry, a hint of violet, predominant of spices, a touch of black olive and “tapenade”, and rosemary. It has an ample and elegant taste, very well-structured and balanced. Depending on the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years or from 50 to 75 years.