Jean-Louis Chave
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is often called the “Pope of Hermitage”. From the tiny village of Mauves, just south of Hermitage in the norther Rhône, Chave’s traditionally made wine is the “top of the hierarchy” (Jeb Dunnuck) in Heritage. The Chave family owns plots in all 7 of the lieux-dits (special plots) on the famous Hermitage hill (see image below), which enables them to produce wines of stunning complexity and finesse.
Domaine Chave was founded in 1481. It has been blessed with an “incredible succession of talented vignerons” (Jeb Dunnuck) through the ages. Gérard Chave ran the estate until Gérard before slowly handing over to son Jean-Louis Chave. This is a traditional estate which keeps an eye on the future (a recently completed new cellar includes a state-of-the-art lab). Vinification is in three large oak upright casks. Aging is in small French oak barrels with the amount of new oak falling in the 20-30% range. The wines are then blended in tank and bottled without being filtered. If needed, the wines can see a light egg-white fining before bottling.
Domaine Chave was founded in 1481. It has been blessed with an “incredible succession of talented vignerons” (Jeb Dunnuck) through the ages. Gérard Chave ran the estate until Gérard before slowly handing over to son Jean-Louis Chave. This is a traditional estate which keeps an eye on the future (a recently completed new cellar includes a state-of-the-art lab). Vinification is in three large oak upright casks. Aging is in small French oak barrels with the amount of new oak falling in the 20-30% range. The wines are then blended in tank and bottled without being filtered. If needed, the wines can see a light egg-white fining before bottling.
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Rhone | 1 | - | $437.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | - | $1,165.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 99+ (VN) | $28,190.00 | |||||
Vinous (99+)Who knows when, if ever, this will be sold, but what the hell. Inky purple. Positively explosive aromas of mulberry, creme de mure, exotic chocolate, musky herbs, pungent flowers and smoky game, with wild potpourri and resin notes. Thick, chewy and almost ridiculously sweet, with the concentration, weight and fruit intensity of a great vintage port, yet with amazing freshness and energy. The finish builds endlessly, deepening and sweetening, and displaying simply remarkable persistence and a clinging raspberry liqueur note. I think I was tasting this the next morning. "I am so happy that I was able to make this wine with my father. If he hadn't been here to watch this it would have been very sad," Jean-Louis concluded. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95 (VT) | $4,980.00 | |||||
Vintage Tastings (95). Next up was a superb wine that most were convinced was a Guigal La La wine. There was so much menthol, bacon and violety fruit it had to be! The palate was meaty, fine and long with great purity |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WCI) | $20,805.00 | |||||
The Wine Cellar Insider (100)This is thrilling to swirl, sniff and sip from the moment the wine hits your glass. Elegant, concentrated, long, rich and refined, the smoky, earthy, rock-strewn fruits grace your palate and linger for at least 60 seconds! Prices for this gem have really shot up over the past few years. If you are lucky enough to have a bottle or two, or you have the disposable income, this is a heart-stopping tasting experience. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100.0 | $694.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 98.3 | $4,215.00 | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) | $8,480.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (100)I’ve rated the 2003 Hermitage perfect on numerous occasions, and while sound bottles are still as good as it gets, I’ve also had some tired bottles here in the States, so provenance is critical with this vintage. Still youthfully colored yet just starting to show some maturity in its aromatics of blackberries, dark currants, licorice, spice box, and leather, this fabulously textured, opulent 2003 hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a wealth of sweet tannins, and a monster of a finish. Clearing 15% alcohol (and I think the pH is probably around 4), it should be a required tasting for all those touting the low alcohol nonsense. This singular beauty can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for another two decades, if you’re so inclined. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) | $4,010.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (100)I’ve rated the 2003 Hermitage perfect on numerous occasions, and while sound bottles are still as good as it gets, I’ve also had some tired bottles here in the States, so provenance is critical with this vintage. Still youthfully colored yet just starting to show some maturity in its aromatics of blackberries, dark currants, licorice, spice box, and leather, this fabulously textured, opulent 2003 hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a wealth of sweet tannins, and a monster of a finish. Clearing 15% alcohol (and I think the pH is probably around 4), it should be a required tasting for all those touting the low alcohol nonsense. This singular beauty can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for another two decades, if you’re so inclined. |
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Rhone | 1 | 98.3 | $2,805.00 | |||||
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A nearly faultless Hermitage from a faultless vintage, this Chave is deep, intense and seemingly ageless after nine years. Increasingly smokey, meaty yet intensely fruited, it brings to mind a barbecued venison joint with forest fruit compote. Exceptional.
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) | $639.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (100)The greatest wines Chave has produced since 2003 are the two cuvees of 2009 Hermitage. The 2009 Hermitage exhibits a black/purple color along with a sumptuous nose of roasted meats, ground pepper, black currants, blackberry jam, and subtle smoke and licorice. The extraordinary bouquet is followed by a wine of extravagant intensity as well as tremendous focus and precision. While not as powerful as the blockbuster 2003, the amazing 2009 may turn out to be a modern day version of their magnificent 1990 (which is drinking incredibly well at present). Anyone who loves Hermitage and has a cold cellar should be lining up to get a few bottles of this beauty. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96+ (WA) | $4,665.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (96+)Tasted from bottle, the 2011 Hermitage sports a ruby/purple color to go with an awesome bouquet of sweet cassis, dried flowers, spice-box, ground pepper and crushed stone. One of the more serious, focused and structured 2011s, it has fabulous concentration, sweet tannin and a seamless texture. Give it 5-6 years and enjoy bottles over the following 2 decades or more. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96 (WA) | $6,065.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (96)One of the more charming and forward efforts from Chave, the 2012 Hermitage sports a mostly opaque purple color to go with classic creme de cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with notions of lead pencil shavings, violets and powdered rocks. Deep, full-bodied and sumptuously textured, with good freshness, this pure, elegant Hermitage shows more and more definition and cut with time in the glass, but never loses it's more fruit forward, charming profile. I suspect it will drink nicely for most of its life. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96 (WA) | $1,965.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (96)One of the more charming and forward efforts from Chave, the 2012 Hermitage sports a mostly opaque purple color to go with classic creme de cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with notions of lead pencil shavings, violets and powdered rocks. Deep, full-bodied and sumptuously textured, with good freshness, this pure, elegant Hermitage shows more and more definition and cut with time in the glass, but never loses it's more fruit forward, charming profile. I suspect it will drink nicely for most of its life. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96-97 (VN) | $4,665.00 | |||||
Vinous (96-97)(this wine is the final blend and was resting in holding tanks in preparation for bottling, "probably in March," according to Chave): Inky ruby. Vibrant black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of candied flowers, incense and licorice, and a bright mineral nuance adds lift. Sweet, fleshy and focused, offering palate-staining cherry compote, black raspberry and violet pastille flavors accented by smoky Indian spices and a hint of cracked pepper. Shows impressive depth but comes off surprisingly lithe, finishing with superb focus and length and fine-grained tannins that sneak in slowly. |
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