December 27, 2022 - Deep, dark, rich and spicy. Youthful and primary as you’d expect, but still very tasty at this stage! A great young Chave!
December 26, 2022 - As noted by some other tasters, this is tasty, but definitely young still. The nose is explosive with dark berry fruits, hint of spice, a touch of olive brine. The palate is still pretty massive and while it has lovely balance, it will continue to gain elegance and subtlety with more time. 10 years will probably help.
October 10, 2022 - Dark, smoky, with rich layers, no shortage of new oak yet. Some olive brine and faint pepper notes fill out the back end of this really grandiose wine in need of more time sideways. I'd suggest to reset your rule of 15 timer starting today.
September 18, 2022 - Sunday Lunch with Raveneau Chablis and Chave Hermitage (Piccino Restaurant, San Francisco): Deep ruby color. Aromas dominated by green notes. Medium weight, very elegant weight on the palate. Black and red fruit with a modicum of ripeness. Excellent acidity, good length. Very, very good and one of my favorites of the flight, but I found the finish to be marred by a strident underripe element that diminished the harmony of the wine.
August 26, 2022 - Still very young. Had a couple glasses after it'd been open a couple hours. Wonderful floral nose with subtle meat, olive and spice notes. Palate was tightly wound, but classy and polished. White pepper notes scattered in with blues and violets mixed with meat and savory notes. Incredibly balanced. Fine tannins. Very lengthy finish.
Will try and save my last bottle for 5+ years
July 14, 2022 - Excellent wine and ready to drink but can age 10 years +. silky, delicate, long length, tertiary aroma starting to develop.
June 24, 2022 - In an outstanding spot.
March 11, 2022 - Almost four years since I have enjoyed this one. And it's even better...as expected. The nose and palate are starting to get a little darker and 'gamier' for sure. Nose has a smoky ripe black fruit character with iodine and bacon fat. Palate of herbal blackberries and blueberries with some bramble fruit character, pipe tobacco, grilled lamb shank...much meatier profile than back in August 2018. This is a stellar Chave doing what a stellar Chave does.... kicking butt and taking names! This would have been a perfect wine with the herbed lamb chops that were on the grill, but unfortunately I wasn't around long enough to experience that awesome fusion!! This wine is born to go with a grilled lamb or duck or game dish. Power, amazing structure, completely balanced, and ready to go! But if you're not in the mood, you can hang on to it for 20 years or more!
January 4, 2022 - Likely way too young to drink and very bitter
November 23, 2021 - Tuesday Night Double Blind $50+ (Bin 75 Alpharetta, GA): Darker core with violet rim; violets, meaty, bacon fat, smoked meat, some oak, great density, mulled plums, olives, brine, darker mineral, some sun, rich, unctuous, a touch somber and rustic, rough and tumble power, needs time; '12 Clape?