2011 Hermitage, 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 grapes from 7 parcels on the hill of Hermitage, with mainstay being Bessards, complemented by L’Hermite, Péléat, Méal, Beaume, Diognières and Vercandières. Average vine age is 50 years old, with oldest vines in Bessards and Péléat over 80 years of age.
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
Enticing nose of red and black berries, baking spices, crushed stones, dried flowers and forest floor, ample mouthfeel with seamless texture, impressive concentration and remarkable focus, mouthwatering flavours of ripe berry fruits, fig, underbrush, anise, clove and mushroom underpinned by a firm mineral backbone, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity leading onto a long, grippy finish. This is a dazzling wine with magnificent poise and amazing freshness, walking a tightrope between compelling energy and ethereal finesse. Still in its infancy, it's dense yet already harmonious, and will benefit from further cellaring. A splendid example of controlled grandeur, literally in a league of its own. (08/2021)