Posts

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Tasting of 2013 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage wines or when wine bring silence into a room…

Why say such a thing? First, let’s take a moment and talk about what is the Domaine Jean-Louis Chave.

Among the great wines of the world, within the French wine elite, the Hermitage appellation sitting in Northern Rhone Valley are ranking at the top of this scale with Chave being one of the best ones.

The story

The Domaine Chave is a family story since 1481 and 16 generations have run this house since its beginning, from father to son. They started producing wines in Saint-Joseph and it’s been only about a century since they established themselves on the hills of Hermitage to move away from phylloxera that had damaged their other vineyards.

They now own about 15 hectares of vines spread out on many climates (or areas) of the Hermitage hills and when vinified, they are blended together to produce one amazing wine of each color. There is no single parcel wine nor special cuvees. Just the best of what Hermitage can offer, either in white or red!

They may be hard to find and not the cheapest wines around, but how could one refuse to have them when so kindly offered!

Following a tasting in the offices of their agency, the following wines were poured to help this another busy year to end on the best note possible.

The wines

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2013

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2013

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2013

Medium dense gold color. Aromas of hay, honey with some fruit and oak notes. There is a real depth to that nose, but at the same time, it’s so hard to put words on my impressions. On the palate, the balance between the well-integrated oak that acts like a support to the fruit and spices flavors is so impressive. And I’m not even talking about the everlasting finish! This is what amazed me the most about this wine. Excellent+ (92)

Blend of Marsanne (85%) and Roussanne (15%). Haven’t found any details about the oak ageing. Alcohol level of 14,5%

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2013

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2013

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2013

Dark and can’t see through color. Elegantly and deep nose as I’ve so rarely felt before. Way more aromatic than the white Hermitage was. Aromas of pepper, bacon fat, flowers, red and dark berries, then smoke and old wooden floors are just mind blowing. On the palate the wine is dense, long, of medium amplitude with flavors of smoked meat, flowers and oak. Again, the finish is everlasting. Amazing wine, there is no other way to describe it. Superb+ (94)

Blend of Syrah (85%) and white grapes (15%). Aged in a mix of oak vats and barrels with a proportion is new for 12 to 18 months. Alcohol level of 14,5%

The Domaine Jean-Louis Chave website : hermite.fr/domaine-jean-louis-chave

Their agency here in Québec is Réserve & Sélection / Trialto : trialto.com

 

Thank you!

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave L'Hermitage 2012

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave L’Hermitage 2012

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave L’Hermitage 2012

I’ve heard many times that a Great wine should be drinkable at every step of its ageing process, from its early youth to a fully mature stage. It might be more theory based since it’s pretty rare that one have to chance to open that type of wine more than once, especially when young since one of the goal of having that type of bottle is to lay them down for medium to lo9ng ageing. Well not long ago, I was lucky enough to have to opportunity to taste one of these Grand Vin at an early stage of its life…

Tasted bling with wine geek friends, here is my comments on this week Grand Vin:

Purple color. Nose of black pepper, black berries and bacon. No doubt, this wine is made out of Syrah! Lively and structured on the palate with ripe fruit, the sun does show its presence on the wine. Then comes the spices (anise) on a medium intense structure with a very long finish. This is a beautiful and perfume wine quite approachable now. I guessed a young Cornas wine. Excellent+ (92)

Made of 100% Syrah grapes from Les Bessards, l’Hermite and Le al vineyards. Long ageing in oak barrels with 10% new barrels. Alcohol level of 14%

More information on Domaine Jean-Louis Chave: domaine-jean-louis-chave

Réserve et Sélection (Trialto) is the agencey representing Chave in Québec: trialto.com