2011 Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage, Rouge

Vinous 94-95

This wine was still broken out into five different pre-blended components when I visited in November but should be in bottle by now. #1: Intense red fruit and floral qualities, with a bright mineral underpinning. #2: Wilder and spicier, with zesty red fruit and star anise nuances and a touch of smokiness. #3: More dark and brooding, showing powerful bitter cherry and cassis qualities and strong back-end power. #4: Distinctly mineral-driven, precise red fruit and floral pastille aromas and flavors, with a deeper note of cola in the background. #5: Powerful cassis and bitter cherry aromas and flavors pick up spiciness and floral character with a little air. The most densely packed of these samples but showing surprising finishing vivacity and cut. Jean-Louis thinks that this wine "will be a little strict" for a while after bottling and hopes that people don’t jump too quickly into it simply because 2011 is perceived as an easy vintage. [Josh Raynolds, 03/01/2014]

Wine Advocate 96

A structured, almost wiry wine, Chave’s 2011 Hermitage remains a bit tight and tannic. That said, it still offers plenty of pleasure and has developed lovely aromas of leather, cured meat, redcurrants and black olives. Medium to full-bodied, with a rich, velvety feel on the finish, it should continue to drink well for at least another decade and probably longer. While it lacks the generosity of the very best vintages, it’s a fine expression of Hermitage. [Joe Czerwinski, 16/09/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035