Domaine Jean-Louis Chave - Hermitage Blanc 2004
Punkty: Wine Spectator - 97, Robert Parker - 95
Producent: Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
Ocena producenta: Robert Parker - *****; Wina Europy - ***
Region: AOC Hermitage (blanc)
Kraj: Francja
Kolor: białe
Alkohol: 14,5%
Pełna dojrzałość: 2009-2030
Szczep: Marsanne, Roussanne
"Very rich, but cuts like a knife, with dried apricot, marzipan and wet stone notes leading the way for richer flavors of candle wax, heather, honey and white peach on the back end. The long, extremely taut finish seems almost tannic; this is built for a long life. Try now, or forget it in the cellar. Best after 2017." - Wine Spectator, wrzesień 2007
"The 2004 Hermitage blanc, which hit 15% natural alcohol, is another
superb effort, continuing a succession of totally profound white
Hermitages from 2003, 2004, and 2005. As many readers know, this small
family producer has been making wine in Hermitage since 1481! The 2004
(about 1000 cases) reveals a light gold color, terrific finesse and
elegance in spite of its enormous power, unctuosity, and richness. Of
course, it is not as honeyed as the otherworldly 2003 (which hit 16%
natural alcohol) but it is an amazingly full-bodied, powerful wine with
pervasive honeysuckle, peach liqueur, and nectarine notes intermixed
with licorice, quince, and acacia flowers. This is gorgeous wine which
should evolve for 20-25 years.
I reviewed them last year and
gave them perfect scores, but before leaving the cellars, I had the
privilege of retasting the 2003 red Hermitage (about 16% natural
alcohol) and the 2003 red Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin (2400 bottles
produced, and the Chaves aren’t sure whether they will ever release the
wine commercially). Both wines exhibited extraordinary richness and
possess a singularly profound identity, but I couldn’t swallow them
without saluting a lost friend. Steve “The Ho” Verlin, who often
visited Chave with me, tragically passed away a year ago at a very
young age. Among all the great wines he loved, bought, drank, and
celebrated, some of his favorites were the wines of Chave. We had
tasted the 2003s here together when they were infants, and again when
they were in bottle, utterly perfect. I like to think Steve was here in
spirit, enjoying the moment and standing next to me and the Chaves.
Here’s to you, Steve!
People still obsess about the red wines of
Chave, but of course his whites are spectacular as well, and as I have
always said, one of the most educational stops on my trips is tasting
through the different cuvees that emerge from separate sites on the
hills of Hermitage." - Wine Advocate, kwiecień 2007
