M. Chapoutier Vin De France Les Coufis 2017

We finished the tasting with two sweet wines. The 2017 Vin De France Les Coufis is all Viognier made in the Vin Paille style which involves drying the grapes for 30 days on straw mats before pressing and aging two years in used demi-muids. Chapoutier previously made a magical Vin Paille dessert wine from Hermitage which was halted due to changes in regulations, but the Les Coufis cuvée isn’t far off. This 2017 has beautiful notes of caramelized orange, exotic flowers, honeycomb, and apricot. Rich, full-bodied, and viscous on the palate, it has tons of sweetness yet stays clean, pure, and light on its feet, with brilliant balance.

Showing a bit of its élevage in demi-muids, the 2017 Vin de France Les Coufis is a 100% Viognier made from partially dried grapes. Almond-skin notes join honeyed fruit, hints of apricot and ripe melon on the medium to full-bodied palate, finishing long and woody.