2019 Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage, Rouge

Vinous 98

Inky garnet color. Seductively perfumed, mineral-accented dark berries, potpourri, smoky bacon and olive aromas show superb definition and spicy lift. Offers intense, spice-laced blueberry, bitter cherry, fruitcake, exotic spice and violet pastille flavors that slowly deepen and become sweeter through the back half. Distinctly powerful, in the style of the vintage, but vibrant as well, with a strikingly long finish that features reverberating floral, exotic spice and mineral qualities and steadily mounting tannins. [Josh Raynolds, 22/12/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2031-2044

Robert Parker 99

As usual, the 2019 Hermitage remained largely as separate components at the time of my visit. Some pre-blending had occurred, so I tasted a combination of Beaumes and Peleat, as well as components from L’Ermite, Meal and Bessards. Uniformly full-bodied, concentrated and long, with rich, velvety tannins, dark-fruit flavors (cassis, blueberries, boysenberries) and hints of crushed stone and licorice, comparisons with 2003 aren’t unreasonable. [Joe Czerwinski, 16/09/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2027-2045