2009 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc (1.5L) (Library Release)

Professional Reviews

Notes

This legendary estate of Jean-Louis Chave, with more than 37 acres in the prized northern Rhône appellation of Hermitage, has been owned and operated by the Chave family since 1481. That's before Shakespeare. Before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Right around the time of the Spanish Inquisition. But even with the weight of history on his shoulders, or maybe because of it, Jean-louis Chave, who is in his mid-40s, has managed to craft some of the finest wines of the modern era. 99 points Robert Parker in Wine Advocate: "The bottled 2009 Hermitage Blanc is one of the greatest whites ever made chez Chave, and that’s saying something given Chave’s track record. This spectacular wine, normally a blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, exhibits layers of concentration, superb acidity and minerality, laser-like focus, and plenty of quince, white currant, citrus oil, honeysuckle, anise, white peach and apricot marmalade notes. This significant, full-bodied, dry white Hermitage should age for 30-50 years. However, given the vintage’s flamboyance, it will be drinkable early in life." (12/2011)