The Chave line could make a fair claim to beFrances winemaking royal family: in no otherof Frances great terroirs is the largest individual landholder so deeply rooted in time and place,so supremely competent, and so modest acustodian of insights and craftsmanship ofthe past. –Andrew Jeffords, The New France

Wine growers in the northern Rhne since 1481, the Chave family (currently helmed by Grard and son Jean-Louis) represents 16 generations of unbroken lineage committed to the production of some of the finest Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne on the planet. Jean Louis joined his father in 1992 after completing undergraduate studies at University of Connecticut and a degree in oenology at Davis. It was at that time that he completely replanted vineyards on the familys original estate in Saint-Joseph, which had been abandoned in the early 1900s when phylloxera hit the region.

The key to perfect balance in Chaves Hermitage is in their remarkable blending skill, which begins again every season. Many hours of thought, insight, and conversation go into the final component blend for Hermitage. Never once has the Chave family released a single vineyard or cru Hermitage. While percentages vary from year to year, the constant backbone of Hermitage Rouge is Syrah from Bessards Vineyard with its steep, granitic slopes. Similarly with the Blanc, the components vary, however the base is made from old vines Marsanne from their Plat vineyard. Some Roussanne is also added to the final blend.

2018 Hermitage Rouge – 97-100pts Wine Advocate