Chave Hermitage Blanc

This family-run estate continues to go from strength to strength, with the father and son (Gerard and Jean-Louis) team pushing all the right buttons to achieve success at all quality levels. Jean-Louis Chave is responsible for several negociant wines. 2001 Wine Advocate 92-94: I tasted component parts of the 2001 Hermitage blanc. Aromas of acacia flowers, honeysuckle, and citrus were followed by a medium to full-bodied white with loads of glycerin as well as heady fruit and alcohol. Elegant, medium to full-bodied, and crisper, it is more obviously backward than the 2000. James Suckling 96: Super chalky nose with peach blossom and orange blossom leading to peach, orange citrus and orange peel flavors. This still has a little of the flesh and puppy fat on the palate. Still building. Extremely complex and very powerful. Drink now. Vinous 93: Pure, subtle aromas of yellow plum, spices, flowers and nutty oak. At once sweet and gripping, with a glyceral middle given shape by flavors of lemon skin and spices. Very subtle and very long, finishing with terrific backbone. 2002 Wine Advocate 90: The 2002 Hermitage blanc exhibits abundant amounts of acacia flowers, honeyed citrus, and a hint of orange marmalade in a ripe, elegant, medium-bodied style. Because of its low acidity, it is best consumed during its first 5-7 years of life. What Chave accomplished in the extremely challenging 2002 vintage is unquestionably noteworthy. Not because of tiny yields and small grapes, but due to Chave’s decision to eliminate every grape except the very best, 2002 is a small crop. Wine Advocate 90+: Subdued but pure aromas of ginger, white flowers and menthol. Very tightly wound and citric; almost hard-edged for a young Chave white wine. All edges now and difficult to taste, especially following the 2003. Quite strict and uncompromisingly dry (actually under one gram of residual sugar), but very long and subtle. Chave says this is much richer than it's showing today. 2009 Wine Advocate 100: From one of the greatest years in Hermitage, Jean Louis Chave's 2009 Hermitage Blanc is quite possibly the greatest white ever from this estate (the 2013 will certainly be in the same league, but in a different style) and tops out on my scale. An utterly profound wine in every way, it offers to-die-for notes of liquid rock, licorice, buttered citrus, honey and quince. This gives way to a voluptuous, full-bodied, decadent and heavenly Hermitage Blanc that has massive richness and mid-palate depth while always staying fresh, pure and focused. This is insanely good white that will have half a century of longevity. Bravo! Vinous 96: Bright yellow. Heady, seductively perfumed bouquet evokes fresh pit fruits, citrus zest, honeydew and ginger, with a touch of licorice in the background. Stains the palate with intense nectarine and pear skin flavors braced by vibrant minerality. Rich but strikingly lithe on the finish, which leaves potent spice and citrus fruit notes behind. Jeb Dunnuck 100: I’ve thought the 2009 Hermitage Blanc was pure perfection just about every time I’ve been lucky enough to taste it. Thrilling notes of quince, honeysuckle, buttered citrus, and liquid rock all emerge from this flamboyant, sexy, yet seamless and classic white that could come from nowhere else than this magical hillside terroir outside of Tain l’Hermitage. It’s a thrill a second today but will keep for 40-50 years. It’s a heavenly, magical Hermitage Blanc.