| Producer | Domaine Jean-Louis Chave |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône Valley |
| Subregion | Hermitage |
| Varietal | Syrah |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | U1010944 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Inky hued, with sensational notes of red, blue, and black fruit as well liquid rock, graphite, burning embers, saddle leather, and hints of candied orange zest. It's a massive, concentrated, powerful wine, yet it stays balanced, has a good sense of freshness, building tannins, and a great finish. As with most great vintages here, it's going to need a decade of bottle age to shed its baby fat and will be a classic Hermitage to enjoy over the following 30 years or so.
What you find in the whites, you find in the reds,' says Jean-Louis Chave, alluding to the natural freshness and balance in the 2020 Hermitage lieux-dits. This shows a good sense of finesse, with discreet, elegant tannins and intensity without great power. It is a concentrated but restrained vintage of elegance and great precision. Drink between 2030-2050. –M.W.
Tasted in components, before the final blending and rest before bottling, this wine is shaping up to be monumental, and it's from a domaine that has made far more than a few remarkable wines. There's intense dark fruit, suave floral and exotic spice character and a deep, energizing core of minerality, plus hints of olive, botanical herbs, licorice and smoked meat. But ultimately, it mainly focuses on powerful, vibrant fruit and floral qualities, making it a particularly elegant rendition of the appellation. I can't wait to see the bottled result. –J.R.
Enchanting and complex, with stunning textural purity. Offers black cherry enveloped by mulling spices, gently toasted sandalwood and warm iron, with mocha and cigar box accents. Shows a pleasing chewiness as this builds in concentration and lushness toward the long, salty, mineral-rich finish. Outstanding. Best from 2025 through 2042. –K.B.
