Hermitage 2010 Chave

Classification	Cru Classe
Type	Red
Brand	Chave
Vintage	2010
Country	France
Region	Rhone
Grape	Syrah/Shiraz
Volume	0,75
Condition	From Original Wooden Case
Label	Perfect
Stock	0
Volume	1,5
Condition	From Original Wooden Case
Label	Perfect
Stock	0

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (100)

Pure perfection, the 2010 Hermitage reminds Jean-Louis Chave of their 1990. It appears to be a richer, fresher example of what I remember the 1990 tasting like in 1992. The wine exhibits an opaque purple color along with an extraordinary bouquet of sweet blackberry fruit intermixed with creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, acacia flowers, bouquet garni, meat and crushed rocks. Full-bodied and stunningly rich with laser-like precision, this is a powerful, massive yet exceptionally well-balanced wine that should be forgotten for a decade and drunk over the following 30-40 years.

I have had the privilege of tasting at this brilliant family-owned estate for over 30 years. During that time, I have seen first-hand the glory of a true evolution from father Gerard Chave to his son, Jean-Louis, and of course, the Chave family has been doing this since 1472. It is one of those small but world-class wine enterprises that is truly inspiring. Tasting through the different vineyards before their newest red and white Hermitages are blended is an education in the different terroirs of that famous dome of largely decomposed granite mixed with gravel and clay. Jean-Louis Chave characterized the 2011 vintage as challenging, where one had to perform draconian crop-thinning and selections in the winery. All the St.-Joseph vineyards are located on steep hillsides near the Chaves’ home village of Mauves, to as far north as St.-Jean de Muzols and Ste.-Epine as well as those once known as Clos Florentin.

Winespectator (99)

Dark and massive, this features a core bristling with warm plum sauce, black currant, blackberry pate de fruit and bitter cherry flavors. The loamy edge develops through the finish, studded with charcoal, licorice root and roasted apple wood notes, all underpinned by a broad, dense graphite spine. This will age at a glacial pace.

BOW (9.75)