Hermitage Rouge Chave 1996
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Sale price
£490.00
Regular price
£540.00
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Hermitage Rouge Chave 1996
HED2213
75 cl
13%
Regular price
£540.00
Sale price
£490.00
9% off
Taxes included.
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The Chave family has reportedly been producing wines in the Rhône Valley since 1481 and Jean Louis Chave is unquestionably one of the most famous producers of both Hermitage Rouge and Blanc. They are one of the largest landowners in the Hermitage appellation and have vines spread across 9 of the finest lieux-dits, with the Rouge being sourced from the best parcels with vine age ranging between 50 and 85+ years. The 1996 is now firmly hitting its stride, exuding delicious notes of wild berry fruits, tobacco, dried herbs, woodsmoke and spices. Medium-bodied and delightfully elegant, this is not a powerhouse vintage but is immensely satisfying nonetheless.
92 Vinous
The 1996 L'Hermitage sits near the end of its broad drinking window, opening with earthy scents, dried red fruits and mushroom tones. Built on gently grippy tannins and fresh acidity, the medium-bodied 1996 concludes with a distinctively refined last touch. — Nicolas Greinacher, 28th January 2026
91 Robert Parker
A late vintage that’s compared to 2013 by Jean-Louis, yet that carried more crop, the 1996 Hermitage is a juicy, medium-bodied effort that’s ready to go. Giving up classic herbed game, bacon fat and sweet fruit, it should continue to evolve gracefully, but there’s no reason to hold off here. 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 larger corporations these days, it’s inspiring to see this smal
15 Jancis Robinson
A disappointing bottle from a cool year. Lustrous garnet. Cool, tight with lots of acidity. Correct without delivering much pleasure. Some astringency on the finish still. I see I enjoyed it back in 2011 and thought it already an attractive drink so I think this must have been a strange bottle. (JR) — Jancis Robinson, 29th July 2018
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