2005 Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage, Blanc 1x75cl

Vinous 95

The 2005 Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc is everything you d expect from a great Northern Rhone white from this famous producer. Garrigue, beeswax, lemon, shiso leaf, poached apricot, pear and many other aromas and flavors wafted out of the glass. What you have to love about this wine is how the contributions of both the old-vine Roussanne and the Marsanne in the blend are clearly recognizable, and the sum is more than the individual parts. The wine overpowered some of the dishes I ate on this night but actually married better with the tofu in casserole and the slightly gelatinous rice soup than I had imagined. [Ian D’Agata, 26/04/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2019-2022

Robert Parker 95

Tasted from Yapp’s reserves at a private vertical. What a wonderful Hermitage Blanc this is! A lucid silver/gold hue. The nose has a spellbinding lift and fragrance, quite honeyed with touches of vanilla pod, dried apricot, lanolin and almond. Very alluring. The palate is quite spicy upon the entry, just showing a little volatility, lovely honeyed texture though with notes of roasted walnut, white fennel and an engaging sense of mineralite toward the finish. Very good length. Excellent! Drink 2012-2025. Tasted March 2009. [Neal Martin, 01/03/2009]

Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025