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Domaine Jean Louis Chave

2004 Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage, Blanc

France Marsanne Roussanne Rhone Hermitage 750ML

Wine Advocate

95

Vinous

96
/
2004 Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage, Blanc
Domaine Jean Louis Chave

2004 Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage, Blanc

France Marsanne Roussanne Rhone Hermitage 750ML

Wine Advocate

95

Vinous

96
/
0 In Stock

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The perfection of Syrah lies somewhere in between the assortment of ancient vines belonging to Jean-Louis Chave in the Rhone Valley's crown jewel: Hermitage. Though vat in comparison to Romanee-Conti, the pride and glory of these vineyards is just as storied. Chave is a master of the blend, and the rare master of both red and white variations of Hermitage.

Domaine Jean Louis Chave

Ever a humble man, maybe not as reticent and reclusive from the public eye as Jacques Reynaud, Jean-Louis Chave presides over the family Domaine that holds its roots in the Northern Rhone dating back to the fifteenth century. Yikes. Native to the village of Saint-Joseph, which was once considered some of the finest land of the Rhone, they made their name with the Hermitage wines - Blanc et Rouge - and its famed slopes. 

Before we talked at length as a wine culture about the art of blending, the Chave family may as well hold the title of the Dom Perignon of the Rhone - Jean-Louis and his father Gerard did and still do the unthinkable in blending all of their stunning old vineyards into one cuvée (save for select vintages, when a whopping 200 cases of Cuvée Cathelin is released). This is the ultimate example of the sum is greater than the parts, because in tasting the individual plots you would cry out to bottle them separately (as I have pled with several Champagne producers to release the vin clair as a Coteaux, seemingly in its perfect form already). Yet upon tasting the finished product, you know that Syrah has peaked, beyond comprehension. 

Meet the Producer

Domaine Jean Louis Chave

The perfection of Syrah lies somewhere in between the assortment of ancient vines belonging to Jean-Louis Chave in the Rhone Valley's crown jewel: Hermitage. Though vat in comparison to Romanee-Conti, the pride and glory of these vineyards is just as storied. Chave is a master of the blend, and the rare master of both red and white variations of Hermitage.

Ever a humble man, maybe not as reticent and reclusive from the public eye as Jacques Reynaud, Jean-Louis Chave presides over the family Domaine that holds its roots in the Northern Rhone dating back to the fifteenth century. Yikes. Native to the village of Saint-Joseph, which was once considered some of the finest land of the Rhone, they made their name with the Hermitage wines - Blanc et Rouge - and its famed slopes. 

Before we talked at length as a wine culture about the art of blending, the Chave family may as well hold the title of the Dom Perignon of the Rhone - Jean-Louis and his father Gerard did and still do the unthinkable in blending all of their stunning old vineyards into one cuvée (save for select vintages, when a whopping 200 cases of Cuvée Cathelin is released). This is the ultimate example of the sum is greater than the parts, because in tasting the individual plots you would cry out to bottle them separately (as I have pled with several Champagne producers to release the vin clair as a Coteaux, seemingly in its perfect form already). Yet upon tasting the finished product, you know that Syrah has peaked, beyond comprehension. 

The Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate

95

The 2004 Hermitage blanc, which hit 15% natural alcohol, is another superb effort, continuing a succession of totally profound white Hermitages from 2003, 2004, and 2005. As many readers know, this small family producer has been making wine in Hermitage since 1481! The 2004 (about 1000 cases) reveals a light gold color, terrific finesse and elegance in spite of its enormous power, unctuosity, and richness. Of course, it is not as honeyed as the otherworldly 2003 (which hit 16% natural alcohol) but it is an amazingly full-bodied, powerful wine with pervasive honeysuckle, peach liqueur, and nectarine notes intermixed with licorice, quince, and acacia flowers. This is gorgeous wine which should evolve for 20-25 years. I reviewed them last year and gave them perfect scores, but before leaving the cellars, I had the privilege of retasting the 2003 red Hermitage (about 16% natural alcohol) and the 2003 red Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin (2400 bottles produced, and the Chaves aren’t sure whether they will ever release the wine commercially). Both wines exhibited extraordinary richness and possess a singularly profound identity, but I couldn’t swallow them without saluting a lost friend. Steve “The Ho” Verlin, who often visited Chave with me, tragically passed away a year ago at a very young age. Among all the great wines he loved, bought, drank, and celebrated, some of his favorites were the wines of Chave. We had tasted the 2003s here together when they were infants, and again when they were in bottle, utterly perfect. I like to think Steve was here in spirit, enjoying the moment and standing next to me and the Chaves. Here’s to you, Steve! People still obsess about the red wines of Chave, but of course his whites are spectacular as well, and as I have always said, one of the most educational stops on my trips is tasting through the different cuvees that emerge from separate sites on the hills of Hermitage.

Vinous

Vinous

96

Bright gold. Intensely spicy pear, peach and apricot pit aromas, with a strong suggestion of sweet butter. Round and weighty but at the same time juicy, with focused peach and pear nectar flavors enlivened by exotic spice and mineral notes and deepened by honey and fresh cream tones. Gains in freshness with air, picking up strong mineral and tangy citrus zest notes. The 2005 will be more elegant, Chave believes.

What the Critics are Saying

The Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate

95

The 2004 Hermitage blanc, which hit 15% natural alcohol, is another superb effort, continuing a succession of totally profound white Hermitages from 2003, 2004, and 2005. As many readers know, this small family producer has been making wine in Hermitage since 1481! The 2004 (about 1000 cases) reveals a light gold color, terrific finesse and elegance in spite of its enormous power, unctuosity, and richness. Of course, it is not as honeyed as the otherworldly 2003 (which hit 16% natural alcohol) but it is an amazingly full-bodied, powerful wine with pervasive honeysuckle, peach liqueur, and nectarine notes intermixed with licorice, quince, and acacia flowers. This is gorgeous wine which should evolve for 20-25 years. I reviewed them last year and gave them perfect scores, but before leaving the cellars, I had the privilege of retasting the 2003 red Hermitage (about 16% natural alcohol) and the 2003 red Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin (2400 bottles produced, and the Chaves aren’t sure whether they will ever release the wine commercially). Both wines exhibited extraordinary richness and possess a singularly profound identity, but I couldn’t swallow them without saluting a lost friend. Steve “The Ho” Verlin, who often visited Chave with me, tragically passed away a year ago at a very young age. Among all the great wines he loved, bought, drank, and celebrated, some of his favorites were the wines of Chave. We had tasted the 2003s here together when they were infants, and again when they were in bottle, utterly perfect. I like to think Steve was here in spirit, enjoying the moment and standing next to me and the Chaves. Here’s to you, Steve! People still obsess about the red wines of Chave, but of course his whites are spectacular as well, and as I have always said, one of the most educational stops on my trips is tasting through the different cuvees that emerge from separate sites on the hills of Hermitage.

Vinous

Vinous

96

Bright gold. Intensely spicy pear, peach and apricot pit aromas, with a strong suggestion of sweet butter. Round and weighty but at the same time juicy, with focused peach and pear nectar flavors enlivened by exotic spice and mineral notes and deepened by honey and fresh cream tones. Gains in freshness with air, picking up strong mineral and tangy citrus zest notes. The 2005 will be more elegant, Chave believes.