2023 Domaine Yann Chave Crozes Hermitage Blanc

Professional Reviews

Staff Reviews

KM

Keith Mabry

Keith Mabry

K&L Buyer

Review Date: 08/2025

Lovely aromas of pear nectar and white flowers emerge from the glass. Super clean palate feel. Like a heftier Chablis with more creaminess - if you're looking for comparisons - but otherwise an absolutely spot on Crozes Blanc.

AH

Aaron Hughes

Aaron Hughes

Review Date: 08/2025

The nose here is unique, but not in a scary way. There's a lot of tropical on the nose, but also some crisp red apple, and a touch of something more savory on the finish. The palate is fairly rich with some pretty orchard fruit, that red apple again, jasmine, and a little touch of nuttiness. There's some acid there, but it's definitely not really prominent, making this a softer more friendly white. I could see having this with a pork dish, or maybe some richer seafood. This really was a pleasant surprise from a producer I'm coming to really enjoy.

Notes

Domaine Yann Chave is a family-run estate located in the heart of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, with holdings also on the esteemed Hermitage hillside. Founded in the early 1970s by Nicole and Bernard Chave, the domaine began with a mix of vineyards and fruit orchards. After taking over in 1996, Yann Chave shifted focus exclusively to viticulture, restructuring the vineyards and eventually transitioning the estate to organic farming—an effort sparked by a personal experience with chemical poisoning. Certified organic since 2007, the estate now spans 20 hectares, and Yann’s thoughtful, detail-driven approach—shaped in part by his background in rugby—balances technical precision with deep respect for the land and future generations. Inspired by white Burgundy, this blend of 70% Marsanne and 30% Roussanne is crafted to highlight freshness, balance, and refined fruit character. The complementary nature of the two varieties allows for structural precision and aromatic lift. Whole clusters are gently pressed and fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel to preserve acidity and avoid excess richness. The wine is aged for 8 months without oak to maintain its purity and freshness. The result is a vibrant and textured white, offering notes of white peach, acacia, and lime blossom, with a soft, round palate and a crisp, delicately bitter finish that enhances its balance and length.