2011 Hermitage Blanc, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
About Producer
The Chave family have been growing vines since 1481, in what is now the St-Joseph appellation, and started to buy land on the hill of Hermitage in 1865. Today, with its 15ha vineyards spread across 9 of the 18 climates on the hill, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a vital part of the Hermitage appellation. Gérard Chave started working at the domaine in 1955 and took over from his father in 1970. Representing the 16th generation, his son Jean-Louis, who is now in charge, joined the family estate in 1992, after completing undergraduate studies at University of Connecticut and a degree in oenology at UC Davis. Known for their remarkable blending skills, the Chaves produced long-lived hermitage of great purity, elegance and finesse.
Varietals
Blend of 80% marsanne and 20% roussanne. From L’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Péléat.
About Appellation
According to legend, Queen Blanche de Castille granted permission to Knight Gaspard de Sterimberg to settle in the hills overlooking the hamlet of Tain in 1224 when he returned home badly wounded from the Cathar Crusade. He isolated himself as a hermit and started to plant vines there, hence the name of Hermitage for the hill. First mentions of the hill and its vineyard parcels with their current names were in 1389. Though history blurs the line between myth and reality, the quality of Hermitage terroirs is unquestionable.
Tasting Notes
Perfumed nose of white stone fruits, orange marmalade, melon, lemon curd, marzipan and honeysuckle, voluptuous mouthfeel with waxy texture, ample volume and excellent depth, multilayered flavours of white peach, nectarine, citrus peel, honey, nougat, toasted brioche, grilled hazelnut and hints of ginger, racy acidity and smoky mineral undertones leading onto a long, sapid finish. As we’ve come to expect from Jean-Louis Chave, this is a dazzling wine with effortless elegance, seductive lushness and captivating complexity, cloaking its innate power in composed poise and remarkable precision. It’s upfront, rich and fleshy, yet nothing is overdone and there is vivacious freshness on the palate that adds an utterly pleasurable feel to the aftertaste. (04/2023)