2020 Chave Hermitage - "a classic" (JD)
We are delighted to offer five cases of the 2020 Hermitage Rouge from the mighty JL Chave. Described by Jeb Dunnuck as an “iconic estate [that] continues to hold the line on what constitutes a truly great Hermitage, both red and white”, Chave is a reference point estate for French fine wine, making this huge scoring 2020 a stellar proposition.
The Hermitage Rouge is the flagship wine of the estate and in 2020 it is magnificent. For Dunnuck, “the 2020s are powerful, massive wines that remind me slightly of the 2010s (or is it 2009s?).” He gives it 98+ points and calls it “a massive, concentrated, powerful wine, yet it stays balanced, has a good sense of freshness, building tannins, and a great finish”.
Dunnuck’s comparison with the 2009 and 2010 vintages is interesting. As the table above shows, this 2020 runs them close in terms of quality and with 98+ points has the capacity to match them in the future. Yet, it does so with a sizeable advantage in terms of price. As such, it looks like a shrewd purchase.
We have five cases available from our UK cellars. Do take a look and let me know if you would like to secure any.
2020 JL Chave, Hermitage
£1,800 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond – 5 cases available
98+ points Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the reds from bottle, both these 2020s have incredibly concentrated, pure, focused styles that remind me of 2010. The 2020 Hermitage is 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. (2024) www.jebdunnuck.com
Offered subject to final confirmation. Available from our cellars in the UK. Offer expires 2nd August.
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