2011 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a powerhouse wine producer based in the village of Mauves, in the Saint-Joseph region and just over the Rhne river from Hermitage the source of the estate’s most acclaimed wines. Chave’s red and white Hermitage based on Syrah and Marsanne and Roussanne respectively are some of the most important in the Rhne Valley, commanding both high prices and exceptional, sometimes 100-point scores.

Critical Acclaim

96 Jeb Dunnuck

I love the 2011 Hermitage. (This vintage, in general, produced incredibly sexy, flamboyant wines that have drunk well since release.) Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by tons of sweet crme de cassis, peppery spice, sun-dried flowers, and the classic minerality thats the defining feature of the Bessards lieu-dit that dominates this cuve.

96 Wine Advocate

A structured, almost wiry wine, Chave’s 2011 Hermitage remains a bit tight and tannic. That said, it still offers plenty of pleasure and has developed lovely aromas of leather, cured meat, redcurrants and black olives. Medium to full-bodied, with a rich, velvety feel on the finish, it should continue to drink well for at least another decade and probably longer.

96 Wine Spectator

A grippy, mouthwatering style offering solid, briary tannins inlaid with finely beaded acidity, all of which melds into the core of anise, blackberry paste and fig sauce favors. Shows terrific energy on the singed apple wood finish. Should cruise in the cellar.

94 Vinous

This wine was still broken out into five different pre-blended components when I visited in November but should be in bottle by now. #1: Intense red fruit and floral qualities, with a bright mineral underpinning. #2: Wilder and spicier, with zesty red fruit and star anise nuances and a touch of smokiness. #3: More dark and brooding, showing powerful bitter cherry and cassis qualities and strong back-end power. #4: Distinctly mineral-driven, precise red fruit and floral pastille aromas and flavors, with a deeper note of cola in the background. #5: Powerful cassis and bitter cherry aromas and flavors pick up spiciness and floral character with a little air. The most densely packed of these samples but showing surprising finishing vivacity and cut. Jean-Louis thinks that this wine ‘will be a little strict’ for a while after bottling and hopes that people don’t jump too quickly into it simply because 2011 is perceived as an easy vintage.