x
  • Country ranking ?

    682
  • Producer ranking ?

    11
  • Decanting time

    6h
  • When to drink

    now to 2045
  • Food Pairing

    Roast Duck Breast with Dried Cherry Sauc

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Pure perfection, the 2010 Hermitage reminds Jean-Louis Chave of their 1990. It appears to be a richer, fresher example of what I remember the 1990 tasting like in 1992. The wine exhibits an opaque purple color along with an extraordinary bouquet of sweet blackberry fruit intermixed with creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, acacia flowers, bouquet garni, meat and crushed rocks. Full-bodied and stunningly rich with laser-like precision, this is a powerful, massive yet exceptionally well-balanced wine that should be forgotten for a decade and drunk over the following 30-40 years. 

I have had the privilege of tasting at this brilliant family-owned estate for over 30 years. During that time, I have seen first-hand the glory of a true evolution from father Gerard Chave to his son, Jean-Louis, and of course, the Chave family has been doing this since 1472. It is one of those small but world-class wine enterprises that is truly inspiring. Tasting through the different vineyards before their newest red and white Hermitages are blended is an education in the different terroirs of that famous dome of largely decomposed granite mixed with gravel and clay. Jean-Louis Chave characterized the 2011 vintage as challenging, where one had to perform draconian crop-thinning and selections in the winery. All the St.-Joseph vineyards are located on steep hillsides near the Chaves’ home village of Mauves, to as far north as St.-Jean de Muzols and Ste.-Epine as well as those once known as Clos Florentin.

 

Wine Advocate #204
Dec 2012
Robert M. Parker, Jr. 100 Drink: 2012 - 2052 $380-$543 (250)

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The Story

Jean-Louis Chave Chave is known for opting for blending Syrah from their 15 ha vineyards on the Hermitage hill. Their philosophy is against single vineyard wines since blending guarantees more complexity in the wine. In this superb wine this is clearly indicated by the tremendous complexity. Syrah from Bessards is giving rich fruit intensity and concentration to the wine while Méal more depth in flavours and bouquet. Rocoules adds finesse in structure and length along the floral tones. L’Hermite contributes peppery earthy tones and colour. Péléat gives wildness and firmness in structure whereas Diognières provides colour and the savoury tastiness.

 

Vineyard Location: Bessards: The backbone of Chave’s Hermitage year in and out. One of the most famous vineyards in the AOC, Bessards is based on steep, granite hillside soils and provides a strong mineral note to the wine.

Beaumes: A long, narrow vineyard running north to south on the midpoint of the hill, Beaumes tends to produce lighter, more fruit-forward Syrah.

Hermite: This vineyard is located at the very top of the hill of Hermitage and surrounds the Chapel located there. It has a range of soil types, including granite and loess. Chave often vini es different lots from with in Hermite separately.

Péléat: A monopole, with stony, sandy soil, Péléat provides wines that are rmer and more complex.

Méal: A fairly large vineyard just to the east of Bessards. Méal is based on looser, alluvial soils and produces richer, riper wines with plenty of structure.

Vini cation: Generally 100% destemmed, as the Hermitage is meant to be about the expression of the individual vineyards and soils and Jean-Louis believes that stems have a tendency to level out the differences. Fermentation in wood tonneaux and stainless steel tanks. Aged in barriques for 30 months. 

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Average Bottle Price

2015 2014 2013
387€ +10.9% 349€ +12.2% 311€

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.

Latest Pro-tasting notes

<10 tasting notes

Tasting note

color

Deep and Purple

ending

Long, Pure and Flavorful

flavors

Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Blueberry, Pepper, Vanilla and Voluptuous

nose

Youthful, Complex, Ripe and Seductive

taste

Average in Acidity, Medium tannin, Balanced, Multi-dimensional, Youthful, Full-bodied, Focused, Vigor and Drying tannins

Verdict

Sophisticated and Impressive

Written Notes

Ruby. Rich, intense, ripe, scented, pepper and dark fruits. Big. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, layered, fruity, rich and powerfull with freshness to back it, slightly warm finish. Long. 94

  • 94p
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Information

Origin

Mauves, Rhône

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

Average

Fake factory

None

Glass time

3h
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