COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2020
GRAPE
Syrah
PRODUCER
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
REGION
Rhône
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
Tannins
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a legendary estate in the Northern Rhône, with a winemaking lineage dating back to 1481. Based in Mauves, the family has passed down their unparalleled knowledge of the Hermitage hill through 16 generations. Jean-Louis Chave, the current custodian, is widely regarded as a master blender. Rather than bottling single-vineyard wines, Chave believes that the true soul of Hermitage is expressed by blending fruit from various distinct climats (such as Les Bessards, Le Méal, and L'Ermite), each contributing unique structural, aromatic, and textural elements to create a harmonious masterpiece.
ALCOHOL
14.5%
AVG. PRICE
€450
STYLE
Classic
SULPHITES
YES
When to drink
Later
Ideal temperature
16-18°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
The Chave family has been continuously growing vines and making wine in the Rhône Valley since 1481.
Fact 02
Chave rejects the modern trend of single-climat bottlings, insisting that the ultimate Hermitage must be a blend.
Fact 03
The granite-rich 'Les Bessards' vineyard forms the structural backbone and soul of this iconic red wine.
FOOD PAIRING
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WINE MAKING PROCESS
The winemaking process at Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is deeply traditional and non-interventionist. Grapes are harvested by hand from individual parcels on the Hermitage hill and vinified separately. Depending on the vintage, a portion of the grapes is destemmed. Fermentation takes place in a combination of wooden vats and stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 18 to 26 months in French oak casks (pièces), of which only a small percentage is new, to preserve the purity of the terroir. The final, defining step is the meticulous blending of the components before the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
