Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Tasting
Wine Watch, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Tasted Friday, January 25, 2019 by DrinkBordeaux with 247 views
Introduction
One of the best tastings of recent memory. The 1971, 1988 (in magnum), and 1990 were all WOTN equally. It was also a treat to taste the 1995 Cuvée Cathelin.
2005 Drappier Champagne Grande Sendrée 92 Points
France, Champagne
A nice start to the Chave tasting. Not a blockbuster, but good complexity on the nose and palate. Citrus aromas and flavors, along with honey and brioche. Crisp acidity, but not biting or harsh, that contributed to its persistent finish. Appeared quite young.
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1998 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 90 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
The interesting array of fruit was mostly comprised of apricot, lemon, and apple, to go along with honeysuckle. There was a slight sweet rubbing alcohol aroma. On the palate, the wine was very round and rich. It still managed to maintain some freshness despite having a perceived lower acidity.
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1971 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 97 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Negociant bottling. Obviously this had been perfectly stored, as this was remarkable. Transparent ruby color with lightened orange edges. It had a killer nose of warm red fruit, pepper, Turkish spice, cinnamon, leather, and damp earth. The palate was a knockout as well, and though it was deep or overly concentrated, it had excellent acidic balance and persistence on the finish. Tannins have essentially resolved. With a bit more complexity and length on the finish, this could have been a flawless wine.
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1988 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 97 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
From a magnum, which perhaps added to its excellent showing. Very dark color. A much earthier nose, with more sweet barnyard seasoning. Dark fruits, leather, black pepper, anise, and violets on the nose. Seriously dense, rich, and layered on the palate. Never tired throughout the evening. A long, lingering finish with medium-plus acidity. Not the tannic spine of the 1990, but still well structured. For me, this was essentially equal to the 1971 (for its mature charm) and the 1990 (for its concentration and overall potential). Impossible for me to really pick a WOTN on this evening.
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1990 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 97 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
As good as the last bottle was two years ago. This bottle appeared even younger, but is still in its sweet-spot. Both red and dark fruits, white pepper, Asian spices, and tobacco created a gorgeous nose. A very powerful wine that took a lot of time to open up, making it a bit less expressive than the 1988. It seemed to get much better throughout the evening and put on lots of weight. This was the most structured wine of the evening, with very firm and serious tannins. Perfect level of acidity on the finish, which had excellent lenght. The 1990 is still at its peak, but will drink well for decades. Along with the 1971 and 1988, this was among the most impressive wines of the evening.
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1995 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin 95 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Definitely had a unique quality compared to the other Chave Hermitages. It had a darker fruit profile, with more dark plum and blackberry, along with truffle, eucalyptus, bacon fat, pepper, game, and espresso. Deep, rich, and concentrated on the palate. Very round and balanced. Perhaps more accessible right now than the 1995 Chave Hermitage, which I have found to be a bit shy and less generous. A nice long finish. Medium level of acidity. Very special to taste this rare wine from Chave.
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2003 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 96 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Young, but fairly expressive. Improved considerably with air. Dark fruits, but not roasted or too ripe, along with pepper, sous bois, licorice, and espresso. Very complex, very balanced, and very, very good. Medium-plus acidity and a lengthy, bright, peppery finish. I absolutely loved this wine, and look forward to following its evolution.
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2013 Yann Chave Hermitage 91 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Much less complexity than the JLC Hermitages. More of a red fruit profile, it had nice warm spices and garrigue to go along with it. This was enjoyable overall, but was overshadowed by the other wines at the tasting.
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2014 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 94 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Surprisingly, very drinkable for such a young vintage of Chave. Became more expressive throughout the evening. Dark color, with aromas of dark and red fruits, fresh violets, leather, and Asian spices. Full and lush on the palate. Tannins are nicely integrated, and there was no drying or fatiguing at all. Lots of potential with this wine.
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2012 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Shared by an attendee at the Chave tasting. Bright ruby color. Very powerful, but tight and needs more seasoning. Raspberry, red cherry, truffle, brown spices, and earth on the nose. Very powerful on the palate. Needs a little time to balance out, but should evolve into a really nice Brunello.
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2011 Château d'Yquem 96 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Shared by one of the attendees at the Chave tasting. This was the perfect ending to a fabulous tasting. An alluring nose of pineapple, apricot, flowers, and brioche. The balancing acidity really makes these wines special. The fruit and acidity were so seamlessly balanced. The weight was perfect and the textures incredibly soft. A very long, lingering finish. This is clearly a great vintage of d'Yquem.
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