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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!

Le Macchiole Paleo Toscana IGT 2012

Le Macchiole Paleo Toscana IGT 2012

Le Macchiole Paleo Toscana IGT 2012 

Produced as an IGT because it is not allowed into the Bolgheri appellation where the vines grows to do a wine from a single varietal.

Very dark cherry color. Nose with luscious and pretty oak notes, then the fruit, spices, dry herbs and the green bell pepper. So great on the palate, it’s tasty, young, the oak is there but all balanced with a long mineral finish. Great structure, acidity and even freshness! Again the grape variety shows, but there is also a difference coming from the origin of the wine and the place where the vines grows. Superb (93)

Made of 100% de Cabernet Franc. Aged 20 months in oak barrels, 75% being new. Alcohol level of 14,5%

This vintage will soon be available at the SAQ for 99,00$ (Code SAQ : 12640224)

Le Macchiole’ website: lemacchiole.it

Trialto / Réserve & Sélection is the agency that represents them in Québec: trialto.com

Sample proposed by a producer’s representative.

Bibi Graetz Casamatta Toscane 2014

Bibi Graetz Casamatta Toscane 2014

Dark color. Aromas of black berries, bitter chocolate, spices and cherries leads the fruit notes on the palate. The wine is a little sweet and modern in style, but tasty and more fresh than expected. Good (87)

Made of Sangiovese (100%). Aged in french oak barrels. Alcohol level of 12,5%

Available at the SAQ for 16,90$ (Code SAQ : 11372441)

Producteur’s website : bibigraetz.com

Represented here in Québec by : reserve-selection.com