The Hill of Hermitage has been famous for centuries, and with good reason. John Livingston-Learmonth, author of the definitive Wines of the Northern Rhône, calls it “the king of the Northern Rhône,” producing “the most complete and authoritative of all Rhône wines.”
Our newest northern Rhône source is Yann Chave. He’s not related to the famous Jean-Louis Chave in Mauves, but his wines are terrific – beautiful interpretations of signature Northern Rhône terroirs. Jancis Robinson writes of “really artisanal wine with masses of integrity and bags of personality.” The Wine Advocate’s reviewer writes “Chave’s continuing progress makes this one of the most exciting estates in Crozes-Hermitage.
Yann Chave’s Hermitage 2023 is everything we hoped to find: a beautiful floral nose dominated by violets, superb balance across the palate, plenty of concentration without heaviness, and a long, lingering finish. We’re not the only ones to be impressed. Vinous scored it a 94, finding “early notes of alluring orange rind, crushed violets, white pepper, raspberry compote and softly suggested cedar.” They found the wine “bursting with aromatic complexity and masterful refinement.”
It’s probably not your next by-the-glass house wine, but it’s less than half the price of the other Chave’s Hermitage. Sit on this for as long as you like, or open with a decanter this fall.
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JL Chave Hermitage 2023
bottle price: $165
