Domaine JL Chave - Hermitage 2020

Domaine JL Chave - Hermitage 2020

NZD$535.00
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Description

 

98-100 points Jeb Dunnuck

Tasted out of tank, the 2020 Hermitage ranks with the legendary wines from this address. Reminding me of a slightly more elegant version of the 2010, it's a deep, inky hued effort revealing utterly classic Hermitage aromatics of darker cassis and blue fruits as well as a liquid rock-like sense of minerality. Young and primordial, it still has incredible purity and freshness in its aromatics. Full-bodied and powerful on the palate, this gorgeous wine is going to shine with just 4-6 years of bottle age yet age with the best of them. I would not be surprised to see this beauty have 40, 50, or even 60 years of life. (12/2022)

97-99 points Vinous

Tasted in components, before the final blending and rest before bottling, this wine is shaping up to be monumental, and it's from a domaine that has made far more than a few remarkable wines. There's intense dark fruit, suave floral and exotic spice character and a deep, energizing core of minerality, plus hints of olive, botanical herbs, licorice and smoked meat. But ultimately, it mainly focuses on powerful, vibrant fruit and floral qualities, making it a particularly elegant rendition of the appellation. I can't wait to see the bottled result. (JR) (12/2022)

98 points Decanter

What you find in the whites, you find in the reds,' says Jean-Louis Chave, alluding to the natural freshness and balance in the 2020 Hermitage lieux-dits. This shows a good sense of finesse, with discreet, elegant tannins and intensity without great power. It is a concentrated but restrained vintage of elegance and great precision. (MW) (12/2021)

93-98 points Wine Advocate

Readers will note that the score range I've provided for Chave's 2020 Hermitage is much broader than typical. That's because my ratings for the numerous barrel samples tasted varied considerably, with one lot scoring as low as (91 - 93), while others were near-perfect (98 - 100). I should be able to provide a more precise picture following my next visit, but it was clear to me that—even more than usual-much will depend on Jean-Louis's skills at selection and blending. From the soft, elegant and red-fruited Péléat to the commanding, dark-fruited and mineral-laden Bessards—and the silky, finesseful and raspberry-laden Le Méal in between-there's no doubt a fine expression of Hermitage will eventually emerge from Chave's cellars. (JC) (1/2022)

 

--------THE PRODUCER--------

DOMAINE JEAN-LOUIS CHAVE

Widely recognised as one of the finest producers of Hermitage, the Chave family have been tending their vines within the appellation since 1481. All the time in the world, then, to get it right, and they have done just that, with an enviable reputation for making good wines in difficult years and outstanding wines in the better ones.

While based in a small village not far from Cornas, the heart of their operation lies across the river, where they own vines in nine of the eighteen vineyards that cover the Hermitage hill. The Chaves believe the rich variety of terroir to be found there is critical when it comes to the finesse, structure and complexity they require for their blends.

After centuries of nurture, this family have an intimate understanding of their surroundings. Those plots that do not meet their elevated standards simply aren’t used. One such plot is in Les Vercandières, a thin strip at the base of the highly significant Les Bessards vineyard, which they use as a vegetable patch. Touché!