Vanessa

9.3

It’s always a resounding ‘YES’ for JL Chave!!

That includes this luscious and concentrated Syrah from Saint-Joseph AOC in the Northern Rhône of France.

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a benchmark and icon of the Rhône Valley – a family-run operation since 1481 – with an entire range of deliciousness through the Domaine Jean-Louis Chave and JL Chave Selection portfolios.

This wine is deep ruby, trending on purple. It has pronounced aromas and flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, black cherry, cassis, pomegranate, also violet, bacon, sanguine, saddle leather, pipe tobacco, clove, cigar, damp earth, and black peppercorn. Alcohol is high (14.5% ABV) with medium (+) fine-grained and well-integrated tannins, medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, and a long, elegant finish.

It has a rustic and savory character with robust dark fruit notes; it’s layered, complex, structured, and age-worthy, benefitting from decanting. Still, it’s tasting wonderfully now.

Cheers to JL Chave and treasures of the Rhône!! — 13 days ago

with Deked1

Turd Ferguson

9.1

Day 2 transformation. Pure gravel dust on the nose. Much more suave mouth feel. Mineralality. Raspberry. Dark fruits, and a little bret. Light to medium body. Cellar temp it’s really nice. — 20 days ago

Lance E. Farman

9.0

Quite darn tasty. Snappy acidity and fleshy make it go bye bye quickly. — 19 days ago

Jason Sliwa

9.1

Maybe it bit too full bodied for my taste, but it easily balanced itself with acidity. A fine production. — 10 days ago

with Vicki

Leo Gentile

8.9

Deep garnet color with a hint of brick. Leather and black cherry on the nose very subdued alcohol. Earthy notes at first then dried orange peel dried montmorancy cherry leather and a bit of smoke. Have one more in the cellar which I will wait 2-5years to open. Thanks to Eric Brown for recommending this lovely cab franc — 14 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.3

The 1994 was initially a bit shy on the nose but after many hours in the decanter, it showed such amazing character. In fact, it shared some characteristics with a lightly peated single malt scotch, with light smoke, marmalade, honey, golden raspberry and wet stone. More of its character was unlocked with food. In this case, monkfish, sweet potato, leek, and winter truffle. Drink now through 2034+ — a month ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.4

Again a wonderful 2016 for a decent price. Full bodied with plenty of red fruit and silky tannins — a month ago

Michael Greene

9.5

Brilliant Syrah. Still young but open. Velvety tannin. Inky dark fruit. Dried herbs. Amazing with rotisserie leg of lamb. — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Not to be outdone, the 1989 Chave Hermitage Rouge showed more brambles than the ’88 along with other desiccated blue and black fruits. Dried flowers, beef, blood, leather and mushrooms. Every time I have the pleasure of drinking old Chave, I’m reminded that these wines have so much character and there is a reason they are so adored. Lovely with grilled lamb and Moroccan spices. Drink now through 2040. — a month ago

Jenn

9.0

Cinnamon, a subtle spiced wine flavor — a month ago