Jean Louis Chave 2020 Hermitage Offering and all the Northern Rhone Wines in the store on SALE!!
Okay we poppin champagne like we won a championship game - Popping Bottles by Lil Wayne and Birdman
I will never forget the vintage white Rhone tasting that we did years ago featuring the white wines of Jean Louis Chave. These are some of the greatest old white wines that I had ever tasted from anywhere. The 1983 and 1982 Hermitage whites from Chave were the best wines on the table and to think they were almost 30 years old at that time. The wines of the Northern Rhone have been coveted by collectors and connoisseurs of fine wine as far back as our early days of our country as Thomas Jefferson, a noted wine expert of his day, raved about the wine from this region.
The granite hills of Hermitage rise above the Rhone at Tain l'Hermitage where the river bends sharply to the east before resuming a southward flow. This gives the vineyards a direct southern exposure. Vines have been grown here since Roman times, and Pliney wrote favorably about the wines of the region. The locals claim that vines were first planted here by Phocaean Greeks around 500 BC. Although the evidence is not conclusive, Greek coins and amphorae dating back to 500 BC have been found in the area.
Some experts feel that the greatest maker of Hermitage is the firm of Jean-Louis Chave. The Chave family has been growing grapes at Hermitage since 1481. They have a reputation for making good wine in poor years, and excellent wine in good ones. They use low yielding vines (average age 60 years) and a late harvest to produce the ripest fruit, and there is virtually no intervention in the winemaking and bottling with no filtration.
There are a dozen or so named vineyards in Hermitage, and Chave owns vines in most of them. They vinify each separately, which allows them to blend for greater complexity before bottling. WE just received our tiny allocation of the 2020 vintage wines from Jean Louis Chave and if you blink an eye you will miss out on them as we only received 6 bottles of each wine this year. For those of you that blink I have included all the other wines from the Northern Rhone on this offering.
A bit about Domaine Jean Louis Chave:
Wine growers in the northern Rhône since 1491, the Chave family (currently helmed by Gérard and son Jean-Louis) represents 16 generations of unbroken lineage committed to the production of some of the finest Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne on the planet. Jean Louis joined his father in 1992 after completing undergraduate studies at University of Connecticut and a degree in oenology at Davis. It was at that time that he completely replanted vineyards on the family’s original estate in Saint-Joseph, which had been abandoned in the early 1900’s when phylloxera hit the region.
The key to perfect balance in Chave’s Hermitage is in their remarkable blending skill, which begins again every season. Many hours of thought, insight, and conversation go into the final component blend for Hermitage. Never once has the Chave family released a single vineyard or cru Hermitage. While percentages vary from year to year, the constant backbone of Hermitage Rouge is Syrah from Bessards Vineyard with its steep, granitic slopes. Similarly with the Blanc, the components vary, however the base is made from old vines Marsanne from their Péléat vineyard. Some Roussanne is also added to the final blend.
Long-lived wines of great purity, elegance, power, and finesse, Chave Hermitage is winemaking in its apogee. In years when they believe the quality of Hermitage will not be compromised, their ultra-rare prestige “Cuvée Cathelin” is bottled, which represents a variation on their Hermitage with the same lieux-dits at different percentages.
Jean-Louis Chave Selections, his négociant line which sources grapes from various areas in the northern Rhône, represents a more accessible way for the consumer to experience the wines of the Chave family. “Mon Coeur” Côtes-du-Rhône is a blend of excellent plots in Vinsobres, Visan, Buisson, and Estargues while “Silène” Crozes-Hermitage is 50% estate Syrah and 50% purchased. As with all things Chave, quality is eminent even at the entry level.
The Chave family's methods for their winemaking include traditional farming, super low yields, full ripeness, and minimal manipulation. Their unmatched meticulousness continues through five centuries to render venerable expressions of the purest of northern Rhône terroir.
The negociant project of Jean Louis Chave Selection started in the mid 1990’s. The idea behind this project is simple. The goal was to search out small wineries with values reflecting those which Jean-Louis requires for making his own wine. Jean-Louis works with wineries who work in an organic fashion, produce low yields, and are interested in making a wine expressive of the terroir specific to their soil. In order to ensure the quality of the wines, Jean-Louis is in contact with the wineries throughout the growing season, during the harvest, and through the vinification.
After being vinified at their respective domaines, the elevage continues in the cellar of JL Chave Sélection in Mauves. Each cuvée from the domaines is aged separately in oak barrels or in cement tanks with minimal amounts of SO2 for a period of 12 to 18 months. An elevage specially adapted to the needs of each cuvée allows the qualities and characteristics of each terroir to be strengthened. Once all the elements are well defined, the blending process can begin. The goal is to produce a complementary blend without sacrificing the diversity of each cuvée.
Robert Parker Jr. on Jean-Louis Chave:
"One of my favorite true and authentic vignerons to visit is the Chave family, located in the tiny, one-horse village of Mauves, just south of Tournon. The son, Jean-Louis, is taking over the reins more and more, but his father, Gerard, is still involved even though he is officially retired. As always, these wines performed brilliantly. Readers should keep in mind that the reviews of the 2007 white Hermitage and 2007 red Hermitage are a matter of extrapolating from tasting all the separate vineyards that go into these wines. That said, the Chaves appear to be ratcheting up their quality level because of a Draconian selection process in the vineyard as well as in the winery. The Chave estate wines’ finest value is St.-Joseph (5,000 bottles produced in each vintage), which comes from hillside vines planted in pure schist just outside their home village of Mauves."
The Latest Releases from Jean Louis Chave
2020 Domaine Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc
List Price: $345.00 Your Price: $303.60 Quantity in Stock: 6
(99 POINTS) "Another heavenly white from this estate is the 2020 Hermitage Blanc, which is the usual 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne from a mix lieux-dits. Incredibly perfumed with notes of acacia flowers, buttered stone fruits, toasted brioche, honeysuckle, and crushed stone, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered texture, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish. The purity, balance, and intensity here are just about off the charts, and this beauty deserves a solid decade of bottle age, although you'll be excused if you drink one in its youth as well." JEB DUNNUCK
2020 DOMAINE JEAN-LOUIS CHAVE HERMITAGE, RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $395.00 Your Price: $347.60 Quantity in Stock: 6
(98 Points) Readers will note that the score range I've provided for Chave's 2020 Hermitage is much broader than typical. That's because my ratings for the numerous barrel samples tasted varied considerably, with one lot scoring as low as (91 - 93), while others were near-perfect (98 - 100). I should be able to provide a more precise picture following my next visit, but it was clear to me that—even more than usual—much will depend on Jean-Louis's skills at selection and blending. From the soft, elegant and red-fruited Péléat to the commanding, dark-fruited and mineral-laden Bessards—and the silky, finesseful and raspberry-laden Le Méal in between—there's no doubt a fine expression of Hermitage will eventually emerge from Chave's cellars. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2003 DOMAINE JEAN LOUIS CHAVE HERMITAGE
Price: $1600.00 Sale Price: $1295.00 Quantity in Stock: 4
(100 points) Outer quote mark Chave's 2003 Hermitage, like the most successful Burgundies from that anomalous vintage, somehow retains a sense of mineral freshness that balances this wine's remarkable concentration and massive fruit. Tasted at the domaine, it's even floral and perfumed on the nose, an incredible feat when faced with that summer's implacable heat. Full-bodied, massively rich and decadently creamy in texture, it delivers waves of mixed red and black fruits that avoid any overtly raisiny character, finishing vibrant, peppery and long. (JC) Inner quote mark (12/2019) Wine Advocate
2020 DOMAINE JEAN-LOUIS CHAVE SAINT-JOSEPH 'CLOS FLORENTIN', RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $225.00 Your Price: $198.00 Quantity in Stock: 6
(93-95 Points) Loaded with notes of violets, spice and red berries, the 2020 Saint Joseph Le Clos Florentin is its customary elegant, silky self. Medium to full-bodied, it's complex and long on the finish, framed by fine-grained tannins. Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Jan 2022)
2020 DOMAINE JEAN LOUIS CHAVE SAINT JOSEPH
Price: $109.50 Your Price: $96.36 Quantity in Stock: 6
(93+ Points) Bottled in August of 2022, the 2020 Saint Joseph is a beauty and is showing nicely. Classic Saint Joseph darker fruits, peppery herbs, damp earth, and spice, as well as a hint of tapenade, all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a concentrated mid-palate, and outstanding length. It's impeccably made and will evolve for 10-15 years. Jeb Dunnuck (Nov 2022)
2020 JEAN LOUIS CHAVE SELECTION OFFERUS SAINT JOSEPH
Price: $33.75 Your Price: $29.70 Quantity in Stock: 11
Jean-Louis Chave Selections is the negotiant project of the Chave family. Much of the wine though is from estate grapes and produced with the same methodology. These are not wines to be skipped, and provide excellent value. Violets, dark fruit, earth, and spice are all on display here.
The rest of the Northern Rhone wines in the store:
Condrieu – The Ultimate Expression of Viognier
2020 YVES CUILLERON CONDRIEU LA PETITE COTE
Price: $62.75 Your Price: $53.34 Quantity in Stock: 8
2019 ANTHONY PARET CONDRIEU LYS DE VOLAN
Price: $67.50 Your Price: $57.38 Quantity in Stock: 15
2019 MAISON CLUSEL-ROCHE "VERCHERY" CONDRIEU
Price: $94.75 Your Price: $80.54 Quantity in Stock: 10
2017 DOMAINE FRANCOIS VILLARD CONDRIEU LES TERRASSES DU PALAT
Price: $67.50 Your Price: $57.38 Quantity in Stock: 1
2017 DOMAINE FRANCOIS VILLARD LE GRAND VALLON CONDRIEU
Price: $66.00 Your Price: $56.10 Quantity in Stock: 6
Cote Rotie – A rival to Hermitage
2021 ST COSME COTE ROTIE
Price: $100.25 Your Price: $88.22
2020 ST COSME COTE ROTIE
Price: $100.25 Your Price: $88.22
2018 OGIER COTE ROTIE
Price: $90.00 Your Price: $79.20 Quantity in Stock: 2
2018 RENE ROSTAING COTE ROTIE AMPODIUM
Price: $97.25 Your Price: $85.58 Quantity in Stock: 9
2018 ANTHONY PARET COTE ROTIE ESPIRIT DU PERE
Price: $72.00 Your Price: $63.36 Quantity in Stock: 8
2018 MAISON CLUSEL-ROCH CHAMPON COTE ROTIE
Price: $122.75 Your Price: $108.02 Quantity in Stock: 6
2018 MAISON CLUSEL-ROCH VIALLIERE COTE ROTIE
Price: $125.75 Your Price: $110.66 Quantity in Stock: 4
2018 MAISON CLUSEL-ROCH LES SCHISTES COTE ROTIE
Price: $86.25 Your Price: $75.90 Quantity in Stock: 11
2017 DOMAINE FRANÇOIS VILLARD CÔTE-RÔTIE LE GALLET BLANC ROUGE
Price: $79.50 Your Price: $69.96 Quantity in Stock: 9
2012 CHAPOUTIER COTE ROTIE LA MORDOREE
List Price: $235.00 Your Price: $206.80 Quantity in Stock: 5
2008 E. GUIGAL COTE ROTIE LA MOULINE, RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $425.00 Your Price: $374.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
2007 DOMAINE FAURY COTE ROTIE, RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $115.00 Your Price: $101.20 Quantity in Stock: 1
2003 GUIGAL COTE ROTIE LA LANDONNE
Price: $900.00 Sale Price: $699.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
1999 E. GUIGAL COTE ROTIE LA TURQUE
Price: $1300.00 Sale Price: $1060.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1999 E. GUIGAL COTE ROTIE LA LANDONNE
Price: $1100.00 Sale Price: $880.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
1998 GUIGAL COTE ROTIE LA LANDONNE
Price: $900.00 Sale Price: $699.00 Quantity in Stock: 4
1991 E. GUIGAL COTE ROTIE LA LANDONNE
Price: $1800.00 Sale Price: $1425.00 Quantity in Stock: 7
1991 E. GUIGAL COTE ROTIE LA TURQUE
Price: $1300.00 Sale Price: $1050.00 Quantity in Stock: 6
1990 E. GUIGAL COTE ROTIE LA LANDONNE
Price: $1700.00 Sale Price: $1399.00 Quantity in Stock: 6
Hermitage – The King of the Northern Rhone
2019 JABOULET HERMITAGE LA CHAPELLE
List Price: $278.00 Your Price: $244.64 Quantity in Stock: 8
2019 YANN CHAVE HERMITAGE
Price: $133.50 Your Price: $117.48
2018 PAUL JABOULET AINE HERMITAGE LA CHAPELLE, RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $327.00 Your Price: $287.76 Quantity in Stock: 4
2012 PAUL JABOULET AINE HERMITAGE LA CHAPELLE, RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $325.00 Your Price: $286.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
2011 JABOULET HERMITAGE LA CHAPELLE
Price: $235.00 Your Price: $206.80 Quantity in Stock: 2
2011 DELAS FRERES HERMITAGE DOMAINE DES TOURETTES - MARQUISE DE LA TOURETTE, RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $155.00 Your Price: $136.40 Quantity in Stock: 3
2015 CAVE DE TAIN "GRAND CLASSIQUE" HERMITAGE BLANC
Price: $75.50 Your Price: $66.44 Quantity in Stock: 6
Crozes Hermitage – The Best Value in the Northern Rhone
2021 ST COSME CROZES HERMITAGE
Price: $43.25 Your Price: $38.06
2020 M. CHAPOUTIER CROZES-HERMITAGE LES MEYSONNIERS RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $54.00 Your Price: $47.52 Quantity in Stock: 6
2020 YANN CHAVE CROZES HERMITAGE
Price: $35.00 Your Price: $30.80
2010 JABOULET CROZES HERMITAGE THALABERT
Price: $49.00 Your Price: $43.12 Quantity in Stock: 16
2019 DOMAINE BELLE CROZES HERMITAGE BLANC LES TERRES BLANCHES
Price: $40.00 Your Price: $35.20 Quantity in Stock: 3
St Joseph – Another Exceptional Value from the Northern Rhone
2021 ST COSME SAINT JOSEPH
List Price: $48.00 Your Price: $42.24
2017 DOMAINE FRANÇOIS VILLARD SAINT JOSEPH MAIRLANT BLANC
Price: $45.00 Your Price: $38.25 Quantity in Stock: 5
2003 SAINT COSME SAINT JOSEPH
Price: $99.00 Your Price: $84.15 Quantity in Stock: 10
1998 PIERRE GAILLARD ST JOSEPH CLOS DE CUMMUNIALE
Price: $75.00 Your Price: $63.75 Quantity in Stock: 1
1998 DOMAINE DE VALLOUIT LES AGNES SAINT JOSEPH
Price: $100.00 Sale Price: $85.00 Quantity in Stock: 1
Cornas – A small appellation but mighty wines
2020 DOMAINE AUGUSTE CLAPE CORNAS MAGNUM 1.5L RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $450.00 Your Price: $396.00 Quantity in Stock: 2
2020 DOMAINE AUGUSTE CLAPE CORNAS RENAISSANCE RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $134.00 Your Price: $117.92 Quantity in Stock: 5
2020 DOMAINE VINCENT PARIS CORNAS GRANIT 60
Price: $73.50 Your Price: $64.68 Quantity in Stock: 12
2020 DOMAINE AUGUSTE CLAPE CORNAS RHONE, FRANCE
Price: $194.25 Your Price: $170.94 Quantity in Stock: 3
2020 DOMAINE LEMENICIER CORNAS RHONE VALLEY FRANCE
Price: $55.00 Your Price: $48.40 Quantity in Stock: 12
2018 VINCENT PARIS CORNAS GRANIT 30
Price: $46.50 Your Price: $40.92 Quantity in Stock: 2
2018 VINCENT PARIS CORNAS LA GEYNALE
Price: $74.50 Your Price: $65.56 Quantity in Stock: 10
1999 PATRICK LE SEC CORNAS LE VIGNON
Price: $79.00 Your Price: $69.52 Quantity in Stock: 1
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