Few who cherish the power and perfume of classically made Hermitage would argue that the greatest red and white examples emerge from the Chave family cellars. The current generations in charge, father Gérard and son Jean-Louis, use their knowledge, experience and spread of lieux-dits to craft wines that combine all the power, longevity, nuance and refinement that the Hermitage hill is capable of.
100 Points Jeb Dunnuck
As good as Hermitage can get, the 2015 Hermitage from Jean-Louis Chave reminds me of a hypothetical mix of the 2010 and 1990 with its incredible purity, finesse, and elegant paired with awesome depth and structure. This heavenly wine exhibits a deep purple color as well as a powerful bouquet of crème de cassis, blackberries, dried violets, graphite, and crushed rocks, with a liquid mineral component that’s just about impossible to find outside of the Bessards lieu-dit in Hermitage. Full-bodied and massively concentrated on the palate, yet with laser-like precision and clarity, it needs a solid decade of cellaring and will keep for 40+ years or more. It’s not as sexy or overt as the Cuvee Cathelin, but is every bit as good.
99 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Deep, bright-rimmed ruby. Expansive black/blue fruit, licorice, violet, espresso and exotic spice scents pick up a smoky mineral quality as the wine opens up. Offers bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that are lifted by a core of juicy acidity. A Moroccan spice note appears on the back half. The strikingly long, sweet finish displays youthful tannic grip and lingering suggestions of licorice and candied flowers.