Hermitage Rouge Chave 1988
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£910.00
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Hermitage Rouge Chave 1988
HED69553
75 cl
13%
£910.00
Taxes included.
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The 1988 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage is a refined and mineral-driven release, now at its prime drinking stage. With a blend of sweet cherry and currant fruits, complemented by hints of leather, olives, and spice, this medium-bodied wine exudes elegance on the palate. It has fully matured and presents an irresistible charm, inviting enjoyment without delay. For those who appreciate fully developed wines, savour its delights until 2028, although it`s already a wonderful pleasure to indulge in today.
95 Robert Parker
And lastly, the 1988 Hermitage is an elegant, perfumed and mineral-laced effort that’s drinking at point. Giving up plenty of sweet cherry and red currants, leather, crushed rock and hints of green olive, it has no hard edges, solid mid-palate richness and a focused finish. It’s a mature, elegant and classy Hermitage to drink over the coming 4-5 years. Located in the tiny village of Mauves, just south of Hermitage, lies one of the true bastilles of traditionally made wines, and there are few vinous experiences that surpass getting to taste through the different terroirs of Hermitage and Saint Joseph in Chave’s cellar. Founded in 1481, Chave has seen a long succession of generations, with Gerard Chave, who was born in 1935, slowly beginning to hand over the reins to his brilliant son, Jean-Louis (born in 1968), in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Today, the estate stays firmly planted in tradition, yet is far from resting on its laurels or reputation, completing work on a new cellar (just across the street from their existing cellar and connected via a tunnel) in 2014, and working hard on a number of new vineyard sites. While this new cellar includes a state-of-the-art lab, Jean-Louis was quick to point out, “you don’t need a lab to make great wine.” In addition, and along with the help of Jean-Louis’ wife, Erin Cannon-Chave, they’ve continued to grow their negociant label, Chave Selection, which offers fabulous bang-for-the-buck and includes both Northern and Southern Rhones. While Jean-Louis has a professor-like level of expertise with regards to Hermitage, today his passion is firmly directed at the steep slopes on the western side of the Rhone River, in the appellation of Saint Joseph. He has numerous new vineyards coming on-line, and while everything is currently blended into his estate Saint-Joseph, each of the individual terroirs are incredibly unique, and I’m sure will be bottled on their own sometime in the future. With more and more of Hermitage going to l
94 Vinous
It has been several years since I last tasted the 1988 Hermitage from Chave. Previous bottles had demonstrated more density and grip, where this is more elegant and transparent with plenty of red berry fruit, rose petal, singed leather and a touch of curry leaf. The palate is beautifully balanced and poised, fresh and very elegant with just a touch of piquancy towards the tertiary finish. This Hermitage is certainly à point, and unlikely to improve with further ageing. So, drink this refined beauty over the next decade or so. Tasted at the Amos Bursary charity dinner at 67 Pall Mall. — Neal Martin, 1st March 2022
18 Jancis Robinson
Bloody, full, lots of acidity. Tannins very well hidden. At the moment not very appetising. Tannins coming out at the end. Toasty. Not at an open stage of its development. (JR) — Jancis Robinson, 14th April 1994
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