Some Wines From Jean-Louis Chave

A couple of days ago I got the opportunity to taste through some wines from Jean-Louis Chave, courtesy of Magnusson Fine Wines. Since I only spend a minute or two with each wine, the score is approximate.

2010 Hermitage Blanche, J. L. Chave Selection
A fat, creamy nose with fine notes of mango, grilled lemons and lots of sweet minerals. Very, very good.
The taste is young and tight with notes of ripe lemons, apricots and crushed rocks. Good acidity. Really good.
~90p   (tasted 2016/10)

2008 Hermitage Blanche, J. L. Chave Selection
The two year older specimen feels older than that on the nose with notes of almond paste, dried apricots and moist gravel. A tad heavy.
The taste is warm, rich and stony with notes of dried flowers, white raisins and banana peel. The finish is long and fine. Should be drunk sooner than later.
~86p   (tasted 2016/10)

2013 Hermitage Blanc, Domaine J. L. Chave
The real stuff, and its good! The nose is big, deep and focused with notes of spices, grilled lemons and lavender. A wonderful smokiness. Great.
The taste is tight and concentrated with stern yellow fruit, a great acidity and a finish that is counted in minutes. Needs 6+ years. Stunning.
~94p   (tasted 2016/10)

2006 Hermitage Blanc, Domaine J. L. Chave
The 06 is almost as good as the 13, but not quite. It has a big, outgoing, complex nose with notes of decaying flowers, mango and warm tiles. Almost a hint of botrytis. Rich. Very, very good.
The taste is big, smoky and a bit peculiar, but very, very fine. A hint of sweetness. Candied orange peel, asphalt and dried flowers. Not for everyone I guess, but I like it! Drink now and the coming 5+ years.
~92p   (tasted 2016/10)

2014 Saint-Joseph Offerus, J. L. Chave Selection
A young, spicy nose with notes of blueberries, bacon, wood smoke and dark chocolate. Very good.
The taste is young, tight and smoky with notes of black peppered meat, forest floor and ripening blackberries. Young and sporty. Very good. Needs 3+ years.
~88p   (tasted 2016/10)

2010 Hermitage Farconnet, J. L. Chave Selection
A deep, old fashioned nose with notes of hot gravel, fir, fried herbs and dried raspberries. A fine floral note. Very, very good.
The taste is deep and inky with notes of bakelite, sweet blueberries, dried herbs and asphalt. A long, tight finish. This will turn out great.
~92p   (tasted 2016/10)

2009 Hermitage Farconnet, J. L. Chave Selection
The 09 is as good as the 10, but it is more dark and meaty on the nose. Some dried flowers also. Very, very good.
The taste is warm, open and a tad funky, with notes of ripe blue- and blackberries, forest floor and smoke. A long, structured finish. Very fine.
~92p   (tasted 2016/10)

2013 Hermitage, Domaine J. L. Chave
A cool, finely tuned, refined nose with notes of lightly peppered meat, ripening flowers, sweet red currants and wood smoke. Very deep and adolescent. Needs time.
The taste is young, stern and promising with notes of smoky blueberries, white pepper, herbs and smoke. A very long, structured finish. Needs at least 8+ years.
~93p   (tasted 2016/10)

2006 Hermitage, Domaine J. L. Chave
The 06 Hermitage is a stunner! A deep, deep, complex, impressive nose with gorgeous notes of warm tiles, ripe blueberries, red currants, dried flowers and cigarr smoke. Very refined. Some maturity. This is great. And it will get even better.
The taste is deep, concentrated and perfectly balanced, and shows notes of wood smoke, liquorice, ripe blueberries and veal stock. The finish goes in and on and on. Just lovely.
~96p   (tasted 2016/10)

2004 Hermitage, Domaine J. L. Chave
One of the guests kindly opened this for another Chave reference. The nose is deep and mellow with a fine meatiness and additional notes of red currants, herbs, forest floor and dried herbs. A fine maturity. Really good.
The taste is cool, dry and long with notes of dried red berries, warm earth, herbs and dried flowers. More like a maturing Vosne-Romanee than a Hermitage, but ooh so good. Very, very long.
~92p   (tasted 2016/10)