2016 Hermitage Blanc
Buying options
Tasting notes
There's not much of the 2016 Hermitage Blanc to go around due to hail in the springtime, yet the resulting wine is another magical effort from this domaine. Bottled in August, it opens up with a fabulous blast of quince, white flowers, buttered citrus, licorice, and exotic spices. These all carry over to the palate, where the wine is full-bodied, rounded, and incredibly sexy, with a layered, mouthfilling texture. It doesn't have the sheer weight of the 2009 and 2010, but is deep, opulent, with plenty of fat and glycerin, and straight-up awesome purity of fruit. If you're lucky enough to have more than one bottle, it's an incredible drink today and should continue to shine for another 2-3 years. After that, I'd hold off for a good 6-7 years or more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds, Vinous
More reviews and scores
#1) Rocoules: vibrant and sharply focused, showing intense pear, tangerine and floral character with a potent mineral overtone. Taut and linear but puts on weight with air. Sweeter on the back end, which leaves suave peach and pear nectar notes behind. #2) Peleat: fresh melon and peach qualities underscored by spicy ginger and smoky mineral notes. Juicy and focused, creating a superb interplay of weight and nerviness. #3) L'Ermite: highly energetic and mineral-driven, showing deeply concentrated citrus and pit fruit qualities and a sexy floral accent. Becomes spicier on the back half and shows outstanding delineation and floral lift. At this stage I'd call this wine the equal of the unreal 2015 and I wouldn't be surprised if I preferred the final wine, assuming it maintains its uncanny blend of depth and minerally cut.
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.