Domaine Jean-Louis Chave - Ermitage - Cuvee Cathelin

100 points - The Wine Advocate
100 points - The Wine Advocate
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave - Ermitage - Cuvee Cathelin - 2009 - 75cl - Onshore Cellars

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave - Ermitage - Cuvee Cathelin

100 points - The Wine Advocate
100 points - The Wine Advocate
Vintage
Size
Regular price €12,180.00
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Last year I gave the 2009 Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin a three-digit rating, but it was nice to be able to re-taste it since it is largely impossible to find in the marketplace. Essentially 100% fruit from Les Bessards, this cuvee is only made in vintages where it will not compromise the integrity and quality of their standard Hermitage (although there is nothing standard about it). The Cuvee Cathelin sees more oak than its sibling, enjoys 50-75 years of aging potential, and boasts over-the-top blackberry and cassis fruit notes intertwined with pen ink, spring flower, graphite and subtle vanillin characteristics. It is a brilliant wine that almost defies description given its ethereal complexity allied to massive weight, power and richness. Yet, it never comes across as heavy or overly-extracted. Forget this for another decade and you and your progeny can enjoy it over the following 50-75 years. I have had the privilege of tasting at this brilliant family-owned estate for over 30 years. During that time, I have seen first-hand the glory of a true evolution from father Gerard Chave to his son, Jean-Louis, and of course, the Chave family has been doing this since 1472. It is one of those small but world-class wine enterprises that is truly inspiring. Tasting through the different vineyards before their newest red and white Hermitages are blended is an education in the different terroirs of that famous dome of largely decomposed granite mixed with gravel and clay. Jean-Louis Chave characterized the 2011 vintage as challenging, where one had to perform draconian crop-thinning and selections in the winery. All the St.-Joseph vineyards are located on steep hillsides near the Chaves’ home village of Mauves, to as far north as St.-Jean de Muzols and Ste.-Epine as well as those once known as Clos Florentin.
Every bit as profound, yet distinctly different, the 2003 Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin is a cellar selection that comes mostly from Chave’s Les Bessards holdings and sees slightly more time in oak. More decadent in style, with ripe cassis, truffle, earth, spiced meats and licorice, it offers a singular profile on the palate with massive concentration and extract, a thick, chewy texture and incredible length. As with the straight Hermitage, it stays graceful and elegant, with no sense of weight or heat in its seamless profile. Sadly, there were only 125 cases of this elixir produced, so here’s to hoping I get to taste this singular beauty again as well!
98 Points - The Wine Advocate"The 1991 is a sleeper. I suspect many readers have forgotten how spectacular this vintage was in the northern Rhone, particularly Cote Rotie.When I arrived at 6:00 p.m., September 11, 2001, at Domaine Chave, I found Chave in tears and his family distraught. I had heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center, but not the subsequent collapse of both towers. Gerard Chave knows all about suicidal bombers, having served in the French military during the Algerian revolution. It took a long time to gather sufficient focus to do my tastings. However, the brilliant wines that unfolded in the cellars were, at least for several hours, a much needed antidote for pushing to the back of my mind the horror of 9-11-01." - Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Type:
Red
Country:
France
Region:
Rhone
Appellation:
Hermitage
Producer:
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
Grapes/Blend:
Syrah
Serving temp:
16° - 18° C
ABV:
14.5%
Pairing Sugesstions:
Truffle-Based Dishes, Lamb, Venison, Duck, Game Birds, Hard Cheeses, Mushroom Risotto

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Behind the bottle

Domaine-Jean-Louis-Chave

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a renowned wine producer located in the Rhône Valley region of France. The Chave family has been producing wine in the region for over...

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a renowned wine producer located in the Rhône Valley region of France. The Chave family has been producing wine in the region for over 500 years, and their expertise and dedication to quality is evident in every bottle they produce.

The vineyards of Domaine Jean-Louis Chave are located in the northern Rhône Valley, in the appellations of Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage. The vineyards are planted on steep slopes, with soils that are rich in granite and limestone. The grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted to ensure only the highest quality fruit is used in the winemaking process.

The winemaking process at Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a traditional one, with a focus on minimal intervention and allowing the terroir to shine through in the final product. The grapes are fermented using natural yeasts, and the wines are aged in oak barrels for up to 18 months. The result is a range of wines that are elegant, complex, and full of character.

The flagship wine of Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is their Hermitage Rouge, which is made from a blend of Syrah grapes from several different vineyards in the Hermitage appellation. The wine is aged in oak barrels for up to 18 months, and the result is a wine that is rich and full-bodied, with notes of black fruit, spice, and a hint of smokiness.

In addition to their Hermitage Rouge, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave also produces a range of other wines, including a Hermitage Blanc, which is made from a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne grapes, and a Saint-Joseph Rouge, which is made from 100% Syrah grapes.

Overall, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a producer that is dedicated to quality and tradition, and their wines are a true reflection of the terroir of the Rhône Valley. Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or a novice looking to explore the world of wine, a bottle from Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is sure to impress.

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
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Rhone

Wine has been produced in the Rhône Valley for over 500 years, with some of its vineyards being amongst the oldest in France. Syrah rules over the south...
Wine has been produced in the Rhône Valley for over 500 years, with some of its vineyards being amongst the oldest in France. Syrah rules over the south with a mix of Mediterranean grapes, while in the north, the two stars are Hermitage – grown on an imposing granite hillside above the town of Tain and best put away in the back of the cellar for a decade – and Côte-Rôtie, a star appellation made famous by Guigal's single-vineyard wines, yet also home to dozens of fine producers as yet less well known. The sheer hillsides overlooking the river have to be terraced to make production possible.

St Joseph and Cornas also provide wines of weight and worth, but the best source for good value is Crozes-Hermitage, a satellite appellation which has come alive in the last few years with the arrival of young blood.

The river valley widens out south of Valence into Côtes du Rhône country on the windy alluvial plains and the lower slopes of the hills. It is a most imposing sight during the cold, clear, blue skies of Mistral conditions. The best of the wine villages of the Côtes du Rhône have been promoted to their own appellations - Vinsobres, Vacqueyras - close in quality to the better known Gigondas.

The king of the southern Rhône is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Here the galets roulés, rounded rocks from the ancient river bed, provide the context for gloriously rich red wines that are redolent of the heat and herbs of the south, and enhanced by the complexity which comes from blending several grape varieties. Thirteen are permitted in all, but Grenache usually dominates, along with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support. A fine vintage needs eight to 10 years cellaring for best results.

If your taste runs to fuller, richer, relatively exotic white wines, then perhaps a white Hermitage or Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhône Valley would suit better, or else a marvellously perfumed, heady Condrieu - headquarters of the Viognier grape.
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Hermitage

Hermitage

Hermitage is a wine appellation located in the northern Rhône region of France. The history of winemaking in this area dates back to the Roman times, and the...

Hermitage is a wine appellation located in the northern Rhône region of France. The history of winemaking in this area dates back to the Roman times, and the appellation has been recognized for its exceptional wines since the 17th century.

The production of Hermitage wines is strictly regulated, with only red and white wines made from specific grape varieties allowed to bear the Hermitage name. The red wines are made from Syrah grapes, while the white wines are made from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes.

The production process for Hermitage wines is meticulous, with the grapes hand-harvested and sorted before being fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The red wines are then aged in oak barrels for up to 18 months, while the white wines are aged in oak for up to 12 months.

The resulting wines are known for their complexity and depth of flavor. Hermitage red wines are full-bodied with intense aromas of black fruit, spice, and leather. They have a firm tannic structure and a long, lingering finish. Hermitage white wines are rich and full-bodied with aromas of honey, apricot, and toasted nuts. They have a creamy texture and a long, complex finish.

Hermitage wines are some of the most sought-after in the world, with prices to match. They are often described as the pinnacle of Rhône winemaking, and are highly prized by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

In conclusion, Hermitage is a historic and prestigious wine appellation that produces some of the finest wines in the world. The strict regulations and meticulous production process ensure that only the highest quality wines bear the Hermitage name. Whether you are a collector or simply a lover of fine wine, Hermitage is a must-try for anyone looking to experience the best that the Rhône region has to offer.

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