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Leading off the 2022s, gorgeous red and black fruits, spice, pepper, and bouquet garni define the 2022 Saint Joseph. Very focused and layered on the palate, it shows medium to full-bodied richness and elegant tannins. It's very much in the sunny yet structured style of the vintage and will have 10-12 years of prime drinking. Drink 2025-2037. This iconic estate continues to set the standard for both red and white Hermitage, and few tasting experiences compare to time spent with Jean-Louis Chave in the family's cellars in Mauves. Founded in 1481 and passed down through generations, the domaine farms 14.5 hectares on the Hermitage hill, including parcels in Bessards, L'Ermite, Le Méal, Beaume, and Péléat. All the Hermitage parcels are vinified separately using a mix of stainless steel tanks and oak uprights, with élevage in barrel (20-30% new), and the final blend is assembled before bottling. The Hermitage Blanc comes from Rocoules, Les Murets, and l'Ermite, and is based largely on Marsanne from 60- to 100-year-old vines. It sees full malolactic fermentation and is aged on lees in barrel. In addition to the flagship Hermitage, Chave occasionally releases a special Cuvée Cathelin, sourced primarily from Bessards and aged slightly longer in oak. It's only produced in top vintages and in tiny quantities, and good luck finding any! The domaine also produces a rare Hermitage Vin de Paille, made from Marsanne dried on straw mats and aged several years before release. I've only seen this bottling at the estate, but it's a heavenly dessert wine if there ever was one. In Saint Joseph, Chave has now spent over a decade reviving historic hillside vineyards. The estate Saint Joseph comes from granitic sites near Mauves and Tournon, while the Clos Florentin is a single parcel on sandier, south-facing soils. Both are destemmed and aged in oak but show different profiles - the former more classic and mineral-driven, the latter rounder and more elegant. A new cellar was completed in 2014, but the style here remains deeply rooted in tradition. These are benchmark Northern Rhône wines, built for aging and made with clarity, purpose, and precision. It would probably be impossible to have too much Chave in a cellar.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Notes of violet, chocolate, iris and flowers emerge from the 2022 Saint-Joseph, a medium to full-bodied, sweet and sappy wine with a concentrated, structured palate framed by an assertive tannic frame, culminating in a long, introverted finish. It derives from vines planted on gneiss and granite soils.
The 2022 Saint-Joseph is medium-bodied and savory, with delicate notes of red plum, crushed violets, licorice, graphite and a hint of dried meat. Layers of black olive and white pepper add depth and complexity. Smooth tannins provide gentle structure, leading to a persistent and elegant finish.
Cask samples tasted at the domaine. Sample 1 : Chaillés. Perfumed violet and blue fruits on the nose – delicious, juicy and fresh. Sample 2 : Le Clos. A slight menthol and eucalypt note, really perfumed as well. Supple and rounded tannins that are really well integrated into the sleek core. Sample 3 : Dardouille. Firmer tannins than Le Clos with some real grip. Followed by a ripe and succulent core of dense blue fruit. Sample 4 : Bachasson. Also has some really firm tannins. A cool graphite gnarliness yet with rounded, supple edges. A lovely balance of richness and elegance. (AC)
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.