Hermitage Blanc 2006 Chave

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (98)

Absolutely prodigious, with both blockbuster richness and an inherent weightlessness and elegance that shows how successful the vintage was for whites, the 2006 Hermitage Blanc offers incredible minerality as well as notes of white currants, buttered stone fruits and hints of honeycomb in a rich, layered, thrillingly pure style. It's drinking gorgeously today, but certainly has two decades of life remaining. This might be a dessert island white for me and count yourself lucky if you have a few bottles of this elixir in the cellar.

James Suckling (0)

Donshowing plenty of hazelnuts, pine cones, sweet spices and vanilla characters. There is also a streak of minerality alongside the deep and fresh blackberries with a hint of tar. Tons of dusty tannins on the full-bodied palate with juicy berries, before an extremely long and creamy finish with vanilla, blueberries and orange peel at the end. Not a subtle wine, but it flatters with its exuberance and it has a lot to offer.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Honeyed, orange-peel nose with toasted nuts and baked apple. Fleshy and soft but saline and precise too. Warm alcohol. Seems to be fraying just slightly at the edges. I'd be tempted to drink this sooner rather later. (RH)

BOW (8.75)