2007 France Trip - Yann Chave, Rousset

Yann Chave, Bernard Chave’s son, tasted us through an impressive lineup of 2006s and 2005s. I was not familiar with this producer, and I thought the wines were excellent, particularly the Hermitage. Chave (no relation to Jean-Louis Chave, despite the common surname) has 1.5 hectares in Hermitage. One of my favorites from our tour through Crozes.

• 2006 Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Blanc

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Popcorn, citrus, light spice. Nice fresh fruit.

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• 2006 Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Two tank samples. The first showed violets, soy, and spice on the nose, and a fresh, spicy palate of inky blackberry fruit. The second, from Les Chassis had deeper black fruit and more structure. Very promising.

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• 2006 Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Two barrel samples. The first had a highly perfumed nose, and fresh, rich, smoky, concentrated blackberry fruit and chocolate. Great structure and concentrateion. The second was smokier and more structured, with delicious ripe fruit. Very promising.

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• 2006 Yann Chave Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Barrel sample. Smoke/fireplace ash on the nose. Delicious, spicy, smoky black fruit, supported by a lot of rich midpalate sap. Already elegant and refined. Long finish. Very promising.

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• 2005 Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Seaweed/nori (sushi wrapper) on the nose. Plum and anise flavors. Soft and round in the mouth. Good.

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• 2005 Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Dense black fruit. Nicely sappy on the midpalate. Ripe tannins. Great concentration, structure, and balance. Excellent.

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• 2005 Yann Chave Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  500 cases produced. Perfumed, fragrant nose. Dense, sappy, and deliciously concentrated. Cocoa, chocolate, and dark fruits. Great structure. Excellent.

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Robert Rousset tasted us through this small family domaine’s portfolio. This was good, old-school Crozes, and I thought the 2006s were quite promising.

• 2005 Domaine Rousset Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Slightly stinky barnyard nose. Light purple fruits, plums, and spice. Peppery. Simple and quaffable.

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• 2005 Domaine Rousset Crozes-Hermitage Les Picaudières

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Deeper black fruit nose. Slightly spicy, rich, layered black fruits. Peppery. Supple mouthfeel. Well-structured. Excellent.

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• 2005 Domaine Rousset Crozes-Hermitage Blanc

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  100% Marsanne. Nose of lemon curd and grass. White flowers. Zesty and fresh. Light in the mouth.

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• 2006 Domaine Rousset Crozes-Hermitage Blanc

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Tank sample. Strong aromas of overripe bananas on the nose. Spritzy bananas. Tough to evaluate at this stage.

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• 2006 Domaine Rousset Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Two barrel samples. The first had a fragrant nose of crushed blackberries and violets, with good supporting acidity and structure. The second was riper and more floral. The final blend here should be quite good.

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• 2006 Domaine Rousset St. Joseph

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

  Barrel sample. Slight barnyard nose. Thin red fruits and baking spices. Simple and rustic.

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• 2006 Domaine Rousset Crozes-Hermitage Les Picaudières

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Two barrel samples. The first was very dark, with a nose of meat and soy. The palate showed dark chocolate, anise, smoky crushed blackberries, ink, and violets. The second was more structured and less aromatically open, with a strong soy smell/taste. Very promising overall.

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• 2005 François Villard Condrieu DePoncins

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  Delicious ripe fruit – citrus and apricots. Fresh zesty acidity.

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• NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Crisp flavors of lemon, straw, and toast. Nice acidity. Excellent.

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• 1999 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault 1er Cru Charmes

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  Ethereal layers of fruit, nut oils, and minerals. Supple, savory, and minerally. Beautiful elegance and finesse. Endless finish. Unreal!

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• 1999 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cros Parantoux

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

  Delicious layers of red fruits, sappy forest floor, mushrooms, and sous bois. Concentrated, beautifully textured and balanced. Incredibly seamless and refined. Years away from maturity, yet already drinking beautifully. Incredible stuff – wow!

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• 1991 Alain Voge Cornas Cuvée Vieilles Fontaines

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Enticingly perfumed, smoky mushroom nose. Soy and green olive tepenade. Meat, olives, soy, and mushrooms to go along with smoky, well-integrated black fruit. Wonderfully refined and silky in the mouth. With some additional time, a black cherry/mineral component began to emerge. Amazingly good – wow!

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• 1982 Laberdolive Bas Armagnac Domaine de Jaurrey

  France, Southwest France, Gascony, Bas Armagnac

  Fiery, nutty, and smoky. Delicious.

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