Benchmark Wine Cellar
J.L. Chave Hermitage Blanc 2011
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.
Summary
J.L. Chave Hermitage Blanc 2011 is a premier white wine from a historic Rhône producer, predominantly crafted from Marsanne with a small percentage of Roussanne. This exquisite wine showcases a complex profile, featuring floral and nutty aromas alongside flavors of ripe peach, butter, and honey. With a creamy texture and integrated minerality, it demonstrates both power and elegance. The wine is aged for approximately 18 months in a mix of barrels and foudres, allowing for subtle oak influence. Its rich flavor is complemented by hints of chamomile and spice, culminating in a long, persistent finish. This wine is built for aging and offers longevity, making it a standout Hermitage Blanc.
Tasting Notes
- WA96
- Just bottled, the 2011 Hermitage Blanc also shows the richer side of Hermitage with its full-bodied, voluptuously textured and up-front profile. Honeysuckle, licorice, toast, citrus oil and liquid mineral-like qualities all emerge from this beauty, and it stays beautifully fresh and focused on the palate. A blend of mostly Marsanne, yet with roughly 20% Roussanne, from the l'Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, this substantial white should be consumed over the coming 2-4 years, or forgotten for a decade or more. It will have over two decades of longevity.
- WS93
- Still quite youthful, with intense salted butter, chamomile, white peach, yellow apple and Cavaillon melon flavors lined with acacia and jasmine notes. A lightly waxy edge harnesses the finish. Best from 2018 through 2026.
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