Tag Archive for: rhone

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

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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!

E Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2013

E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2013

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E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2013

Dark ruby color. Nose of mixed berries, spices, pepper, olives, raw bacon and flowers. More tight on the palate, air did helped unveil the flavors of baked red fruit, olices, then spices and meat notes. Long and rustic finish, this is a type of wine that goes so well with long roasted meat dishes. Can age too and this wine was at its peek days after bottle opening. Good+ (88)

Made of Syrah from an average 35 years old vines. Aged 4 months in oak casks. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 26,65$ (Code SAQ : 00739243)

Guigal’s website: guigal.com

Sample proposed by Les Sélections Fréchette: selectionsfrechette.com

 

Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2007

Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2007

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Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2007 

Garnet color with an orange rim. Nose of meat, pepper, earth, fresh mushrooms and dark berries. Showing some strenght, richness and wide palate, the wine wine offered flavors of berries, red meat, pepper, then the mushrooms and earth came again to end on a long and spicy finish. Really tasty with a nice acidity, especially there on the finish bringing the wine at a greater level. Would have loved to have this wine with a nice piece of meat! Very good+ (90) + (90)

Made of Syrah. Aged 18 months in oak barrels. This bottle was a 375ml. Alcohol level of 13%

This wine on the 2014 vintage was available at the SAQ in 75lml bottles for 29,00$ (Code SAQ : 12008245)

Yves Cuilleron’s website: cuilleron.com

Le Maître de Chai represents Yves Cuilleron in Québec: maitredechai.ca

Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2007

E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône 2012

E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône 2012

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E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône 2012

Dark red cherry color. Nose of wild berries, spices, aromatic herbs, dust and leather. Began as an easy drinker, air did make the wine show its structure and its spicyness while being enjoyable. Put some bottles in the cellar for 2-3 years and you’ll be rewarded! Did that few years ago when I started pilling up bottles. Good+ (88)

Blend of 50 % Syrah, 45 % Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre. Partially aged in large oak barrel for 18 months. Alcohol level of 14%

Available at the SAQ for 20,15$ (Code SAQ : 00259721)

Domaine E. Guigal’s website: guigal.com

Domaine Guigal is represented in Québec by Les Sélections Fréchette: selectionsfrechette.com

E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône 2012

François Villard Comme une Évidence Crozes-Hermitage 2014

François Villard Comme une Évidence Crozes-Hermitage 2014

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François Villard Comme une Évidence Crozes-Hermitage 2014

 

Dark purple color. Nose of crushed rock, flowers and black berries in an expressive and fine way. On the palate though, this was serious! Flavors of bacon fat, warm spices, black berries, have a good lenght but ends in a round finish. A beautiful Syrah wine, perfect candidate for cellaring! Very good+ (90)

Made of Syrah. Aged 15 months in 3 to 5 years old oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13%

Available in SAQ stores for 35,25$  (Code SAQ : 12474019)

Domaine François Villard’s website: domainevillard.com

Sample proposed by Trialto: trialto.com

Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage 2009

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Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage 2009

Dark color with light purple hue. Nose of black berries, olives, warm spices, just a hint of black pepper and meat. Silky tannins are paired with black fruit richness on the palate, then came flavors of bacon, spices, earth, olives, humus and red meat. Medium long finish, the acidity mostly shows on the finish. Good and ready to drink. Very good (89)

Made of  100% Syrah. The grape bunch were partially destemmed. Aged 12 month in oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13%

Alain Graillot’s wines are represented in Québec by Maitre de Chai: maitredechai.ca

Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage 2009

Clos Bellane Altitude Rosé Côtes du Rhône 2015

Clos Bellane Altitude Rosé Côtes du Rhône 2015

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Clos Bellane Altitude Rosé Côtes du Rhône 2015

Pale salmon pink color. Nose of flowers, small red fruits, citrus fuit and water melon. This wine is all about freshness! Good showing on the palate, it’s bright, have a good acidity level and the fruit to go with it. Good+ (88)

Made of 100% Grenache. Organic wine. Aged on lees for 3 months. Alcohol level of 12,5%

Available at the SAQ for 20,25$ (Code SAQ : 12513567)

Clos Bellane’s website: clos-bellane.com

Vinealis is the agencey that represents them in Québec: vinealis.qc.ca

 

Daumen Vaucluse Principauté d'Orange 2014

Daumen Vaucluse Principauté d’Orange 2014

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Daumen Vaucluse Principauté d’Orange 2014

Dark ruby color. Spicy nose with balck berries and earth, but stays fresh and inviting. Chewy, sappy, fand fresh on the palate with flavors of fruits (blackberries, plum and cherries), earth and spices. One glass is not enough! Long with just a little warmth, it just adds more sunlight in a day of with the meal! Very good (89)

Mado of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Merlot, 5% Cinsault, Mourvédre, and Carrignan. Aged one year, half in concrete tanks and the other half in 50hl oak barrels. Alcohol level of 13,5%

Available at the SAQ for 18,60$ (Code SAQ : 12244547)

Jean-Pierre Daumen’s website: daumen.com

Daumen is represented in Québec by Oenopole: oenopole.ca

Domaine Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012

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Domaine Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012

Garnet color. Aromas and flavors of wild berries jam, aromatic herbs, serious while being pleasant to drink. Long and tasty finish with some heat, but so young. Nice classic style and well priced. Very good (89)

Made of 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15%  Mourvèdre and 5% of other grape varieties. Aged 18 months. Alcohol level of 14%

Available at the SAQ for 45,75$ (Code SAQ: 11130257)

Domaine’s website: boisdeboursan.fr

Represented in Quebec by Glou : glou-mtl.com

JL Chave Sélection Offerus Saint-Joseph 2012

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JL Chave Sélection Offerus Saint-Joseph 2012

Dark and purple colored. This wine shows classical aromas and flavors of a Northern Rhone valley wine; berries, bacon fat and pepper. Not very fine, but sappy and flavorful, this Syrah wine is a perfect match to comfort food dishes. Alcohol level of 13,5% Good+ (88)

Available at the SAQ for 32,50$ (Code SAQ : 10230862)

Jean-Louis Chave website: domaine-jean-louis-chave

Sample proposed by: reserve-selection.com