1990 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc

I’ve been lucky enough to have multiple bottles of the 1990 Hermitage Blanc from Chave and it has drunk beautifully every time. Offering fully mature notes of almond paste, truffle, licorice, and earthy minerality, it’s nicely concentrated, full-bodied, deep and opulent on the palate. While certainly fully mature, it’s not going to fall off a cliff anytime soon given its concentration and decadence.

Chave’s 1990 Hermitage Blanc showed intricate layers of smoke and ash that added complexity to the textured fruit.

Gerard Chave has made many great wines, but his 1990s are extra special. His white Hermitage ages magnificently, not displaying its full character for 8-10 years. In great years, it possesses almost immortal longevity, as recent bottles of the 1952 and 1929 prove. The 1990 white Hermitage possesses even more richness than the 1991. It exhibits the same floral, honeyed, apricot, fig, and roasted nut-scented nose, but with more structure, as the wine's grip and delineation are impeccable. Although approachable now, this full-bodied, rich wine is a candidate for several decades of cellaring. Importers: Langdon-Shiverick, Chagrin Falls, OH and Kermit Lynch, Berkeley, CA.