Benchmark Wines by

Chave, J.L.

The Winery

Jean Louis Chave

"The vineyard is more important than who is making the wine. The vineyard was here before us and it will be here after us."
- Jean Louis Chave

The Wine Spectator deemed JL Chave, a 500 year old estate, “the most sought after Rhone bottling among private collectors.” With production at just over 3,000 cases per annum, his passion for letting the terrior speak through the grapes creates wines that are integrated, powerful and complex; there is no makeup on these wines. The focus is on great wines with an emphasis on father to son tradition ‘vignerons de Pere en Fils’.

University of California Davis graduate, Jean Louis Chave, took over as winemaker with the help of his father, Gerard, who is still very much active on the property. They believe the French appellations need more definition, which is evident in his passion for preserving the integrity and individuality of each parcel they source from before blending. There are no chemicals and no machines in the vineyards, and minimal intervention in the cellar. The wines are an expression of their soil, their people and their place.

www.domainejlchave.fr

2001
1 In Stock
1.5L
D97
JS96
WA94–95
WS95
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2001
1 Pre-Arrival
1.5L
D97
JS96
WA94–95
WS95

Wines due to arrive April 2024

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View all wines by Chave, J.L.

Tasting Notes

WS95
This is an elegant, sinewy vintage that is just starting to hit its stride, with a strong sanguine and cedar frame to the core of dried red currant, cherry pit and red licorice notes. A racy iron note is now in full throat on the finish. The commanding minerality should carry this through a second stage of life.
WA94
Leading off the vertical and coming from a year described as “easy” by Jean-Louis, the 2001 Hermitage is a beautiful wine that possesses an elegant, perfumed and classical feel. Lavender, garrigue, violets and impressive dark fruit all emerge from the glass, and it shows more minerality and cut on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness and depth. Showing very little evolution, it nevertheless has plenty of charm at this stage. Rating: 94+ Points

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