Lot 26
DOMAINE JEAN-LOUIS CHAVE HERMITAGE 2016 (1) WA 96+
DOMAINE JEAN-LOUIS CHAVE HERMITAGE 2017 (1) WA (96-99)
Lot 26 Details
DOMAINE JEAN-LOUIS CHAVE HERMITAGE 2016 (1)
Rhône.
Chave's 2016 Hermitage isn't the most intense or biggest wine this estate has produced, but it's a wonderfully charming, approachable effort from a vintage where quantities were halved by hail damage. Perfumed and spicy, with notes of black olives and black cherries, it's full-bodied, cuddly-soft and velvety in texture, with a long, harmonious finish. I expect it will firm up a little over the next year or two in bottle, but it's delicious now and should mature gracefully for at least 15 years, probably longer. December 2019 WA 96+
DOMAINE JEAN-LOUIS CHAVE HERMITAGE 2017 (1)
Rhône.
Jean-Louis Chave had done some preblending of the 2017 Hermitage at the time of my visit, meaning several parcels had already been combined with others, so there were fewer components to taste. A sample that included some L'Ermite, Les Beaumes and Péléat was fragrant, loaded with peppery spice and came across as slightly open-knit (93 - 95). A second component, mostly Le Méal, was richer and riper-tasting, with lush fruit and hints of roasted meat (97 - 99). Finally, a sample Jean-Louis described as "more the core of the blend" (mainly Les Bessards) was simultaneously firm and generous, with notes of crushed stone, cassis and licorice (98 - 100). December 2019 Drink to 2040 WA (96-99)