2007 Hermitage

Open and complex, showing spice and granitic notes, the 2007 Hermitage is medium to full-bodied, ripe, and layered, with supple tannins. Beautifully balanced and just so charming, it's drinking at point today but will clearly evolve for another 15+ years, with a gradual decline thereafter. Drink 2025-2040. 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.

Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Lots of life, energy and tension on the nose. Even a bit raw, it's so tense and tight. This seems much more youthful than the Guigal Ex Voto 2007 served blind alongside. In the glass this even because a bit austere and severe. Don't open this yet! (JR)

An earlier drinking vintage, this is complex and powerful with plenty of dark stony aromas and gentle dark cherry compote, pepper, ripe plum and chocolate. There is an openness and a softness to the palate with smooth, velvety tannins and a powerful, plum stone finish.