2018 JL Chave Selection - Crozes Hermitage Silene
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Tasting notes
Moving to the two Northern Rhône reds, the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Silene sports a dense purple/ruby color as well as classy notes of blackberries, smoked meat, ground pepper, and a touch of game. With medium-bodied richness, a rounded, silky mouthfeel, and terrific balance, enjoy this little gem of a Syrah over the coming 7-8 years.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Inky ruby. Pungent, mineral-accented black and blue fruit qualities on the nose, along with hints of olive, licorice and peony that build in the glass. Supple and weighty on the palate, offering expansive blackberry and boysenberry flavors that become firmer with air. The floral note comes back strong on the penetrating finish, which shows outstanding persistence and fine-grained, well-knit tannins. 60% of this fruit was sourced from the granitic soils and steep slopes in the northern sector of the appellation and the other 40% came from the south, where the soils are lighter, based mostly on limestone clay and covered in large alluvial stones and smaller river rocks.
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.