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Tasting notes
The 2008 St.-Joseph reveals notes of dusty, loamy soil, herbs, pepper, crushed rocks, black cherries and berries. Medium-bodied, delicious and forward, it is an impressive effort for this vintage, but it requires drinking in its first 4-5 years of life. Tasting through the different Hermitage vineyards (including Peleat, Les Beaumes, Meal, l’Ermite and Les Bessards), the lowest score any of these lots received was 94-96 (Les Beaumes). The other parcels all merited 97-100 points. The most dominant component part of Chave’s red Hermitage comes from Les Bessards, which many consider to be the greatest vineyard on Hermitage Hill. The next largest is Meal, a vineyard with a more southerly exposure. While Chave has not made their special cuvee, Cuvee Cathelin, since 2003, I suspect one will emerge from the different lots of Les Bessards that I tasted as 2009 is certainly a year where enough wine can be culled out for the Cathelin without sacrificing the monumental quality of the regular Hermitage. This looks to be one of the wines of the vintage, which is not surprising given the fact that the Chave family has more experience than just about anybody in the winemaking world (the domaine was founded in 1481 - nearly a decade before Christopher Columbus discovered America!). Importer: David Shiverick, Los Angeles, CA; tel (213) 483-5900
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Bright purple. Extremely fresh, expansive aromas of black raspberry, candied violet, Asian spices and minerals. Pure and mineral-driven, with sweet dark fruit flavors and a lashing of minerality that adds lift and clarity. Floral and spice notes resonate on a very long, juicy, incisive finish, which also features a touch of candied licorice.
From Lemp and Bachasson: High-pitched red and dark berry scents, with strong mineral and floral qualities. Vibrant raspberry and blackcurrant flavors are underscored by smoky minerality and become spicier with air. Very fresh sample with strong back-end cut. From Mauves: Wilder and more gamey, showing pungent cherry pit and smoked meat character. Fleshy, smoky and broad, offering deep dark fruit flavors and chewy tannins. "This will give structure to the wine," said Chave. The final blend should offer very good depth and grip for the vintage.
CS From granitic soils in Chaves’ favoured part of this capacious appellation on the slopes above their cellar in Mauves, this is very juicy, peppery and transparent with marked acidity. It apparently reached 13.5% alcohol without help. (JR)
About the producer
The Chaves have been growing grapes in the Northern Rhône since 1481. Jean-Louis Chave is the 16th generation to head up the family domaine, having taken over from his father in 1992.