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 cuvée 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 Chevalier de Sterimberg. The 2022 vintage is gorgeous. Full-bodied and heady with fresh citrus, white nectarines, and acacia honey. Smooth and crisp, with a rich, long, aromatic finish. 97 Jane Anson, Decanter. 

Hyper-fresh, crunchy in its fruit profile and succulent in the mid-palate with excellent tension, poise and energy for such a hot vintage. Candle wax and candle smoke. Celandine, camomile and perhaps a hint of green amongst the freshest wines of Hermitage, despite its richness, breadth and depth, and it is here once again. Tense. Rich. Harmonious and yet dynamic and energetic. Croquant and with fabulous upward thrusts of citrus freshness breaking through the sumptuous rich exterior. Pure and glistening, with a brilliant éclat. 96+ Colin Hay, The Drinks Business, UK.

A vibrant, precise and dense blend of 87% marsanne and 13% roussanne. The nose expresses aromas of kumquats, citrons, verbena, wild herbs and mild spices. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity. Sharp and intense, with such drive. Powerful, with a succulent development on the mid-palate. Refined and lively with a long, focused finish. Drink or hold. 95 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com.

The 2022 Hermitage La Chapelle Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg unwinds with fragrant linden blossom, green apple, white peach, lemon flesh and lime skin. Medium- to full-bodied and crisp, the 2022 brings it home with subtle phenolic bitterness on the sapid finale. It aged 90% in 16-hectolitre concrete eggs and the remainder in a combination of barriques and demi-muids, with very little new oak. 94 Nicholas Greinacher, VInous.