Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Excellent 08. Chave and Allemand really nailed the difficult vintage in Northern Rhône, and 2008 Hermitage is showing beautifully tonight, fresh, elegant and detailed with aromas of juicy red berry fruit, bacon, roasted herbs and smoky minerals. While not an exceptionally deep and concentrated rendition in 2008, it’s really a considerable success, and it’s fully open, giving and ready to drink. — 4 days 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

WC Fields

9.7

Slammed it. Check this off the wine bucket list. And an ‘87. This is singing! — 12 days ago

Michael Greene

9.5

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

Joe Weinberger

9.4

This was still incredibly youthful. Would never have guessed ‘89. — 5 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.6

Nose: dark. Dense blackberries. Pencil shavings. As this opens more suave. Crushed lilacs.

Palate: graphite. Sweet dark blackberry. Long. Dense. Very good. As this opens. Silky.

Fass selections — 18 days ago

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!! — a month ago

with Deked1

romo

9.0

An average showing if not overly correct. — 3 days ago

Doug Powers

9.5

Wow, nearly one year later another pristine, non-cork-tainted, bottle of this outstanding 35-year-old Hermitage — outstanding fruit which is still surprisingly youthful, complex, long finish, just an amazing wine that seems 10 more years from maturity (good cork dependent), great juice!!! — 24 days ago

with Jim

Jae Cho

9.1

A very serious return to a cool vintage taste profile I don’t recall since the ‘14. Lavender, herbs, mineral in addition to the sweetly ripe blackberries and stems. Appreciating the 13% abv. — a month ago