2006 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

White Rhone wines are such a tricky thing to age. This should have been great but alas, it wasn't. It seemed dead on opening but eventually showed a bit of life, but not what one hopes for. Deep gold in color. The nose initially offers some cider notes but with air, some wax, almonds and maybe fresh apples. Full bodied. On the palate, not much at first but with some air, a bit of citrus and slight minerals. Followed over tow hours or so, it just never really showed up. It probably would pay to open early, let it breathe and if necessary, give it a decant. If it opens up, re-cork until serving. Given the pedigree, no rating is given.

Grade:

Vintage:

2006

Current Price:

$250.00USD

America's Best Rhone Style White Wines: 11th Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting Reviewed

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Like many lovers of Rhone style wines from America, we have just returned from the 2008 edition of the annual Rhone Rangers tasting event at Fort Mason in San Francisco (March 18). This was the 11th year that the Rhone Rangers , a group of about 200 American producers of wines using 22 varietals traditional to France’s Rhone Valley, have shown off their wines at this public tasting event. This year, about 138 wineries presented approximately 520 wines. During the tasting, we enthusiastically tasted as many wines as we could within the 5 hours (3 public and 2 trade/media) the event was open. We tasted 30 white wines first, and then we tasted 50 reds. We skipped the rosés, not because we don’t love them, but because we didn’t have time. Kudos to Rhone Rangers for providing eco-friendly paper spit cups instead of the plastic cups so common at other tastings. We divided our attention between wines and producers we have known previously, producers new to us, and specific bottlings we didn’t already know. While we found many wines to admire, we are sure we missed other gems.

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2018 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

100

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$340.00USD

This started a bit tight, but with three hours of air, this was absolutely singing. 80% Marsanne with 20% Rousanne grapes from multiple vineyards. Golden in color with some green hues, clear and bright. The nose initially shows tightly with limes, some melons and spice. With air, more notes come out; salinity, butterscotch, almonds but also more melons and slight lemons. Really complex. Great "slick" texture with pin point balance and energy. The palate mirrors the nose and really explodes with lots of air. Melons, quince, spice, minerality and a bit of almonds on the finish. Layer

2012 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Where to start? This is one of the great white wines of the world. Such a fascinating and contemplative wine. Made from a field blend of 80/20 Marsanne and Roussane. i was a bit aprhensive about this as Hermitage Blanc at age 6 can often be shut down. Light/medium gold. This showed quite well though. The nose is waxy with some honey and slight white floral notes. With air, almonds and slight tangerine notes. Fascinating. Slightly oily texture. Full bodied. Great minerality. Earthy with almonds and slight citrus. Long finish. Warming, not hot on the finish. Certainly some ups

2010 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$309.00USD

White Rhone wines can be so finicky, so when a friend opened this for his birthday, it was nice to see this was firing on all cylinders. Earlier in the day while reading a book about the White House and Wine, it mentioned that Thomas Jefferson referred to White Hermitage as France's greatest white wine, and this bottle gave that some credence. These wines are so unique when on that they are not for everyone. It doesn't seem fair to group with Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc as they drink more like a red in that they are not crisp or refreshing or tart. This one is golden in color, clear a

2013 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$260.00USD

White Rhone's can be tricky to time as they age, but this was firing on all cylinders. Medium golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with wax, ginger, orange peel and floral notes. Full bodied. On the palate, this is deep and complex. the ginger and orange peel carries thru but its the minerality that really stands out. Enough acidity but not a lot. Long finish. Delicious wine that keeps improving with air. It demands attention. This drinks well on its own and will work well with spicy foods. Still youthful, this should last another twenty five years with no problem

2006 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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