Ropiteau's success story began in 1848, when the arrival of a railway line to Meursault gave Jean Ropiteau so much confidence that he gave up his work as a winemaker and cooper to establish his own winery. The name Ropiteau quickly became synonymous with quality Burgundy, specializing in white wines. Even today, the quality wines are aged in the 17th-century cellars of the former "Caves de l'Hôpital," in the heart of Meursault. Under the stone arches, amidst the shade and silence, at optimal temperatures, the wines ferment slowly, just as they did more than three centuries ago.
The winery, over 150 years old, was acquired a few years ago by the French beverage group Boisset. Since then, significant investment and a great deal of hard work have been done to further enhance the quality. For example, they decided to apply their years of experience with the Burgundy grape Pinot Noir to another wine region. Limoux, a region in southern France, was chosen, thanks to its high-altitude vineyards, making it ideally suited for this challenging grape. Pinot Noir needs cool conditions and can withstand hot temperatures with difficulty. It must be allowed to ripen slowly but surely. Therefore, it's not an easy grape for winemakers. But because the result can be so tempting, it's worth the challenge.
And with Ropiteau's extensive experience with Pinot Noir and Boisset's financial resources, it's a magnificent specimen. The palate is full, rounded, and boasts the necessary ripe fruit to round it out beautifully. Attractive aromas of ripe red fruit, toast, and a touch of coconut also emerge. It pairs beautifully with a duck breast salad, vegetarian dishes, or simply a piece of meat.
