Classification | Cru Classe |
Type | Red |
Brand | Chave |
Vintage | 1999 |
Country | France |
Region | Rhone |
Grape | Syrah/Shiraz |
Volume | 0,75 |
Condition | Perfect |
Label | Perfect |
Drinkable | -2050 |
Stock | 0 |
The dense saturated purple-colored 1999 Hermitage had been bottled only 24 hours before my visit. It is a brilliant effort. The wine exhibits fabulous texture, purity, and sweetness as well as a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. There is high tannin, remarkably rich, concentrated extract, and tell-tale Hermitage fruit characteristics (blackberries, cassis), minerals, and spice. This is the greatest vintage Chave has produced since 1990. While it requires 7-10 years of cellaring, it will last for 4-5 decades.
Now starting to hit a second phase, this has perfumy, singed balsam wood, dried currant and blood orange fruit and orange rooibos tea notes all gliding on a fine-grained finish where sanguine and white pepper notes flicker through. Still has an ample core of plum and red currant fruit, with a nice tug of earth for grip.