Tasting Notes
Vinous – 98
The 2010 L’Hermitage is just as intense on the nose, maybe higher-toned with a little more VA than the 2016. Black plum, cassis, allspice and a huge dose of extravagance, this is Hermitage pumping on all cylinders. The palate is armed with silky tannins, enormous depth with no hard edges. Its opulence brilliantly disguises the structure underneath – a fabulous wine that has decades ahead.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2060
JancisRobinson.com – 18
Coming into its own with complex aromas of light honey, green fruits and still a touch of cedary oak. Powerful, rich yet wonderfully fresh. Layered and long. Will be even better when the oak has receded further. Difficult to give drinking dates as whites from the Rhône seems to have two drinking windows, sometimes with a difficult patch in the middle. (JH)
Anticipated maturity: 2016-2025
Robert Parker – 100
Pure perfection, the 2010 Hermitage reminds Jean-Louis Chave of their 1990. It appears to be a richer, fresher example of what I remember the 1990 tasting like in 1992. The wine exhibits an opaque purple color along with an extraordinary bouquet of sweet blackberry fruit intermixed with creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, acacia flowers, bouquet garni, meat and crushed rocks. Full-bodied and stunningly rich with laser-like precision, this is a powerful, massive yet exceptionally well-balanced wine that should be forgotten for a decade and drunk over the following 30-40 years. I have had the privilege of tasting at this brilliant family-owned estate for over 30 years. During that time, I have seen first-hand the glory of a true evolution from father Gerard Chave to his son, Jean-Louis, and of course, the Chave family has been doing this since 1472. It is one of those small but world-class wine enterprises that is truly inspiring. Tasting through the different vineyards before their newest red and white Hermitages are blended is an education in the different terroirs of that famous dome of largely decomposed granite mixed with gravel and clay. Jean-Louis Chave characterized the 2011 vintage as challenging, where one had to perform draconian crop-thinning and selections in the winery. All the St.-Joseph vineyards are located on steep hillsides near the Chaves’ home village of Mauves, to as far north as St.-Jean de Muzols and Ste.-Epine as well as those once known as Clos Florentin. Importer: Langdon-Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (213) 483-5900
Anticipated maturity: 2012-2052
