The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
Wine Description
The Story
Cuvée Cathelin, named after the artist Bernard Cathelin, a friend of the Chave family who designed the label for this wine which was first released in 1990. When it comes to extremely exclusive wines in extremely limited production, the trip typically goes to Burgundy. But Rhône can also join on the big stage. Domaine Chave's Hermitage Cuvée Cathelin is not only the best and most exclusive wine from the region, but also one of the smallest productions. Domaine Chave produces just 200 cases of Hermitage Cuvée Cathelin a year, which is equivalent to just 2,400 bottles. Overall, this means that just over 20,000 bottles of Cuvée Cathelin have been produced since the first (1990), of a total of nine vintages, was released.
Wine Information
|
The stupendous 2003 Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin was never racked from barrel to barrel, nor was any SO2 utilized. Readers should think of it as the concentrated essence of a Chave Hermitage. It is a port-like effort that is neither hot, pruny, nor overripe despite what the numbers might suggest. As Chave says, this is a wine that will age many decades on its sheer level of concentration as the acidity is appallingly low, and the pH extraordinarily high, but the level of concentration and essence in the wine is akin to some of the most monumental wines ever to emerge from France. Most of this cuvee comes from Chave's two most renowned vineyard sites, Les Bessards and Le Meal. Its black/purple color is followed by an extraordinary perfume of blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, melted licorice, a hint of caramel, striking minerality, a viscous/unctuous texture, and a finish that lasts well over a minute. Thicker and richer than the 2003 Hermitage, and nearly one degree higher in alcohol, it is a monumental effort, but production was minuscule. |
|
| Score: 100 | Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (163), February 2006 |
Average Bottle Price
| 2015 | 2014 | 2011 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 217€ +12.2% | 2 866€ +73.8% | 1 649€ +40.2% | 1 176€ |
This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.
