Marie-Thérèse Chappaz
2 May 2024
Since inheriting a garden-sized plot of Pinot Noir in the mid-1980s, “Queen of the Valais” Marie-Thérèse Chappaz has built one of the region’s most compelling domaines from scratch, demonstrating the world-class capabilities of Swiss wine with her diverse line-up of beautifully crafted cuvées.
A biodynamic champion who fully converted her estate in 2003, Marie-Thérèse now farms 11ha of vines situated around a natural granite amphitheatre above the villages of Fully, Saillon, Chamoson, and Charrat. Many of these sites are reachable only on foot or by cable car and require laborious and costly vineyard work to maintain.
From 25 grape varieties Marie-Thérèse makes more than 20 different cuvées, which she vinifies as naturally as possible at her winery. For whites, these include genre-defining Fendants (Chasselas), gourmand takes on Ermitage (Marsanne), and an array of Arvines, including the unctuously sweet ‘Grain Noble’, which is often compared with top Sauternes. She also crafts fragrant and spicy Pinot Noirs, tangy Gamays, as well as alpine-fresh Syrahs.
As the domaine’s annual production is typically purchased before bottling by a thirsty domestic market, few outsiders ever see, let alone drink, Chappaz’s wines. With Marie-Thérèse recently becoming the first Swiss winemaker to achieve a 100-point score, these bottles have only become rarer. Don’t miss out.
A biodynamic champion who fully converted her estate in 2003, Marie-Thérèse now farms 11ha of vines situated around a natural granite amphitheatre above the villages of Fully, Saillon, Chamoson, and Charrat. Many of these sites are reachable only on foot or by cable car and require laborious and costly vineyard work to maintain.
From 25 grape varieties Marie-Thérèse makes more than 20 different cuvées, which she vinifies as naturally as possible at her winery. For whites, these include genre-defining Fendants (Chasselas), gourmand takes on Ermitage (Marsanne), and an array of Arvines, including the unctuously sweet ‘Grain Noble’, which is often compared with top Sauternes. She also crafts fragrant and spicy Pinot Noirs, tangy Gamays, as well as alpine-fresh Syrahs.
As the domaine’s annual production is typically purchased before bottling by a thirsty domestic market, few outsiders ever see, let alone drink, Chappaz’s wines. With Marie-Thérèse recently becoming the first Swiss winemaker to achieve a 100-point score, these bottles have only become rarer. Don’t miss out.
White
Fendant ‘La Liaudisaz’ 2022 (£45)
From low-lying Fendant plots around the winery. Condrieu-like aromatics, with slatey minerality and a bitter zest finish.
‘Assemblage’ Blanc 2021 (£65)
A blend of Arvine, Sylvaner, and Marsanne. Pure and intense, crystalline white fruit and saline notes.
92 Points, Robert Parker
Red
Dôle ‘La Liaudisaz’ 2022 (£45)
85% Pinot Noir, 15% Gamay. Attractive dark fruit and savoury minerals. Soft and rounded – effortless drinking.
Grain Pinot ‘Les Dahrres’ 2022 (£58)
Pinot Noir from Chamoson. Classy and delicate – red cherries, exotic spices, and a firm, smoky edge.
Grain Pinot ‘Les Esserts’ 2021 (£58)
Pinot Noir from Chappaz’s original vineyard site. Charming red fruit aromatics alongside menthol lift. Silky and pure.
92 Points, Robert Parker
Grain Syrah 2021 (£98)
From steep terraces in Fully. Dark, fleshy fruit layered with graphite and lavender and smoky complexity. Very Northern Rhône.
92 Points, Robert Parker
Sweet
Grain Noble NV (£92)
A multi-vintage blend of Marsanne, Arvine, and Pinot Gris spending 2 years in barrel. Sweet yellow fruit and baking spices. Textural and long.
Fendant ‘La Liaudisaz’ 2022 (£45)
From low-lying Fendant plots around the winery. Condrieu-like aromatics, with slatey minerality and a bitter zest finish.
‘Assemblage’ Blanc 2021 (£65)
A blend of Arvine, Sylvaner, and Marsanne. Pure and intense, crystalline white fruit and saline notes.
92 Points, Robert Parker
Red
Dôle ‘La Liaudisaz’ 2022 (£45)
85% Pinot Noir, 15% Gamay. Attractive dark fruit and savoury minerals. Soft and rounded – effortless drinking.
Grain Pinot ‘Les Dahrres’ 2022 (£58)
Pinot Noir from Chamoson. Classy and delicate – red cherries, exotic spices, and a firm, smoky edge.
Grain Pinot ‘Les Esserts’ 2021 (£58)
Pinot Noir from Chappaz’s original vineyard site. Charming red fruit aromatics alongside menthol lift. Silky and pure.
92 Points, Robert Parker
Grain Syrah 2021 (£98)
From steep terraces in Fully. Dark, fleshy fruit layered with graphite and lavender and smoky complexity. Very Northern Rhône.
92 Points, Robert Parker
Sweet
Grain Noble NV (£92)
A multi-vintage blend of Marsanne, Arvine, and Pinot Gris spending 2 years in barrel. Sweet yellow fruit and baking spices. Textural and long.
Please note that this offer has expired, however you can check current stocks via the search bar or shop@shrinetothevine.co.uk