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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Vinous - Josh Raynolds (94-97)
From Peleat: Peach, apricot and a wild note of botanical herbs on the nose. Deep pit fruit and melon on the palate, with tarragon and lemon emerging with air. Very good grip on the finish. From Rocoules: Very spicy, with vivid lemon and lime scents and a strong undercurrent of tangy minerals. Focused and pure, with superb depth and clarity. From Meal: Very rich, with creamy peach and floral honey character. Shows pliant pit fruit and poached pear on the palate, with a spine of zesty minerals. The Chaves call this site Petit Meal. From L' Hermite: Stunning mineral, orange and licorice aromas reminded me of a grand cru Burgundy. Fresh, energetic and focused, with pure citrus and orchard fruit flavors and excellent mineral cut. The final blend should be a knockout mix of depth and energy.Inc. VAT£1,873.49 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
Cut from the same cloth, the 2017 Hermitage Blanc is stunning stuff, and Chave lovers should unquestionably have bottles of this in the cellar. Bottled in August of this year, its medium gold hue is followed by a mammoth bouquet of quince, flower oil, buttered almonds, and brioche. Every bit as good on the palate, it’s full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, and incredible minerality as well as length on the finish. It’s insanely good today, and while this cuvée can shut down, I wonder if this ever will. My money is on this drinking fabulously well for 25+ years. Life is too short not to drink as much Chave Hermitage Blanc as possible!Inc. VAT£1,875.89 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
Another incredible white from this family is the 2019 Hermitage Blanc, a powerful, concentrated, and remarkably pure Hermitage that has laser-like focus as well as textbook Marsanne notes of quince, green almond, powdered rock, licorice, and spice. It’s still tight, focused, and inward at present, yet it reminds me of the 2018 with its purity and rare mix of power and elegance. It’s worth trying a bottle any time over the coming 3-5 years, but after that, I’d recommend waiting until after 2031.Inc. VAT£1,725.89 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Another heavenly white from this estate is the 2020 Hermitage Blanc, which is the usual 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne from a mix lieux-dits. Incredibly perfumed with notes of acacia flowers, buttered stone fruits, toasted brioche, honeysuckle, and crushed stone, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered texture, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish. The purity, balance, and intensity here are just about off the charts, and this beauty deserves a solid decade of bottle age, although you'll be excused if you drink one in its youth as well.Inc. VAT£2,073.89 -
Inc. VAT£902.98
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Vinous - Josh Raynolds (94-97)
From Peleat: Peach, apricot and a wild note of botanical herbs on the nose. Deep pit fruit and melon on the palate, with tarragon and lemon emerging with air. Very good grip on the finish. From Rocoules: Very spicy, with vivid lemon and lime scents and a strong undercurrent of tangy minerals. Focused and pure, with superb depth and clarity. From Meal: Very rich, with creamy peach and floral honey character. Shows pliant pit fruit and poached pear on the palate, with a spine of zesty minerals. The Chaves call this site Petit Meal. From L' Hermite: Stunning mineral, orange and licorice aromas reminded me of a grand cru Burgundy. Fresh, energetic and focused, with pure citrus and orchard fruit flavors and excellent mineral cut. The final blend should be a knockout mix of depth and energy.In Bond£1,542.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
Cut from the same cloth, the 2017 Hermitage Blanc is stunning stuff, and Chave lovers should unquestionably have bottles of this in the cellar. Bottled in August of this year, its medium gold hue is followed by a mammoth bouquet of quince, flower oil, buttered almonds, and brioche. Every bit as good on the palate, it’s full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, and incredible minerality as well as length on the finish. It’s insanely good today, and while this cuvée can shut down, I wonder if this ever will. My money is on this drinking fabulously well for 25+ years. Life is too short not to drink as much Chave Hermitage Blanc as possible!In Bond£1,544.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98+)
Another incredible white from this family is the 2019 Hermitage Blanc, a powerful, concentrated, and remarkably pure Hermitage that has laser-like focus as well as textbook Marsanne notes of quince, green almond, powdered rock, licorice, and spice. It’s still tight, focused, and inward at present, yet it reminds me of the 2018 with its purity and rare mix of power and elegance. It’s worth trying a bottle any time over the coming 3-5 years, but after that, I’d recommend waiting until after 2031.In Bond£1,419.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Another heavenly white from this estate is the 2020 Hermitage Blanc, which is the usual 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne from a mix lieux-dits. Incredibly perfumed with notes of acacia flowers, buttered stone fruits, toasted brioche, honeysuckle, and crushed stone, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered texture, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish. The purity, balance, and intensity here are just about off the charts, and this beauty deserves a solid decade of bottle age, although you'll be excused if you drink one in its youth as well.In Bond£1,709.00 -
In Bond£714.00
