November 2, 2022 - Tasted blind, this wine had a deep red center and red/puce rims. The medium+ intensity nose offered up candied cherries, rhubarb, Provencal herbs, soil, and a hint of menthol.
In the mouth it was rich and ripe great balance, firm acidity, and huge length.
This still tasted quite young to me and I can't say for sure I know that it will evolve in a positive direction. It was a bit monolithic and somewhat high octane. However, it also seemed likely to improve by a point or two with another 10 years or so in the cellar and that would make it impressive indeed.
January 5, 2022 - Drunk along side four vintages of the regular cuvee, including the 95, I found this over the top, and close to unappealing.
September 26, 2020 - Extremely good, but not worth the current tariff. I would have happily traded a bottle of this for a dozen of the regular 1995 bottling. Still, the balance between rich, meaty bacon flavors and light, pretty floral flavors is amazing. Chave is truly the King of Hermitage, and this has another 30+ years of life left.
September 28, 2019 - 3000 bottles made. The usual chave sensation with herbs, wild berries, perfume, bacon and meat. The palate was ultra ethereal and weightless with subtle and humble power. Along with the impeccable length and finish of this wine, the wine had no signs of that richness and meatiness from the Chave Hermitage. These characters were distinguished ithr Cuvee Catheleen from a regular chave. Everything was in the right place. Liquid silk, light on its feet, a different animal. 96-97
January 25, 2019 - Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Tasting (Wine Watch, Fort Lauderdale, Florida): 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.
July 13, 2018 - Full but soft nose and a relatively compact palate. Compares favorably to the regular cuvee in this vintage, but is not a blockbuster. Still early in its evolution, this deserves another evaluation in 5 years as I see upside here. 94-95+
March 14, 2014 - Dinner at Steve & Barb's house. Greg's generous offering for the evening. A very unique and perfumed nose that I've only encountered once before - in the bottle of the '98 sitting next to it! The lineage of the wines could be seen in the similarities and the differing vintage characteristics could be seen in the fact that the '98 had deeper and richer fruit. It's always difficult to put wines like this into words and better to just enjoy the moment. Both were quite young but absolutely delicious. 50+14+14+9+9=96+
October 4, 2012 - Dinner with Friends (Storefront Company - Chicago IL): Open approx 6 hours before pouring, this was double decanted before coming to the restaurant, then decanted again at the restaurant. Dense black fruit coming across as incredibly fresh, vibrant and forward. Very primary. Moderate spice to start, with more pepper, licorice and allspice coming through from middle to finish. Powerful, long finish. This should still be getting better for another decade+.
October 9, 2009 - Quoique du même style que le 1991, il m’a semblé un peu plus sérieux et structuré. Vin d’une incroyable finesse, presque exotique par son bouquet. La bouche est divine, avec des arômes très rhodaniens de viande et d’épices. Les très fins tanins et l’acidité convergent vers une finale presque croquante et très longue. Très grand vin.
July 25, 2009 - Phil's B-Day; 7/23/2009-7/25/2009 (Chicago): very floral like nose of sweet dark fruits with really heavy bakers spice and some tar. amazing balance and stunning complexity and layer after layer of new textures and taste on each sip