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Take this job and Chave it!
Sunfish Cellars, Lillydale, MN
Tasted August 1, 2013 by Mattshank with 425 views
Introduction
Sorry for the bizarre title but my objective was to get your attention and apparently, I did. On a serious note this tasting was fantastic and one of the better ones I've attended in quite some time. Our host was Erin Chave (wife of Jean Louis Chave) who was effusive, informative, and an excellent presenter (pretty cute too). We tasted through a complete line up of Chave offerings from the Selection series and ending with the grand cuvees. Sunfish Cellars also had a wide array of artisan pizzas, cheeses, and other assorted fare for our enjoyment making this first rate all the way. Kudos to Erin Chave, the local distributor, and Sunfish Cellars for putting on this unique event!
Flight 1 (7 notes)
White
2011 J.L. Chave Sélection St. Joseph Céleste
91 points
Nose: Very toasty and complex with some lemon hints underneath. Palate: Still quite primary but with good richness, lemons, and a pronounced minerality. Good stuff and a good QPR at around $26 on sale. 91+ points.
Red
2011 J.L. Chave Sélection Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur
91 points
Nose: Pepper and funk in abundance. Palate: Perfumy red fruits with a lightness of style but massive pepper flavors. Medium length finish. A solid CdR although a bit pricy at around $19 on sale.
Red
2010 J.L. Chave Sélection Crozes-Hermitage Silène
91 points
Nose: Pepper and granite minerality. Palate: Elegant pepper quality (more so than the Offerus) with white pepper, black fruits and a medium length finish.
Red
2010 J.L. Chave Sélection St. Joseph Offerus
91 points
Nose: Burnt toast quality with black fruits. Unique but interesting nose. Palate: Black fruits and pepper with white pepper as well. A more amped up version of the Silene IMO. Medium length finish. Very elegant and balanced. 91+ points.
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Comments (2)
Red
2010 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave St. Joseph
92 points
Nose: Deep, dark fruits with some floral aspects. Palate: Big pepper, some white pepper and blackberry in the background. Medium to long finish with great balance. Really good stuff and although a bit pricey at around $50 on sale the quality certainly shows.
Red
2008 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage
93 points
Nose: Big floral qualties with a myriad of spices (Asian spices, etc) and black and white pepper. After extended air red fruits emerge (raspberry) with cinnamin. Very cool nose. Palate: Massive pepper attack with the black fruits following. Very big but still maintains an elegance..classic Chave. Just a baby this should be great in 3-5+ years at which point this could easily be a 94-96 pointer. 93+ points today.
White
2008 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc
93 points
Nose: Big toast with subtle lemons and assorted herbs. After extended air assorted nuts show (lychee, etc.). Just a fabulous nose! Palate: Good richness buttressed by ample acidity and Meyer lemons. Medium to long finish. Much like the Rouge this is just a baby and should easily be a 95+ point wine with time. Long life ahead. 93+ points today.