Jean Louis Chave   Hermitage Blanc

2015 Hermitage Blanc

By Jean-Louis Chave

2015 Hermitage Blanc by Jean-Louis Chave, Rhone

Salted granite, a honied mazanilla nose, lanes lined with vintage linen; these are a few of the indefinable, sublime pleasures that come to mind when one's senses engage with the 2015 Hermitage Blanc from Jean-Louis Chave. An absolute master of shaping the variables the Rhone region presents and with an unbroken line of vintners dating back to the 15th century, Chave's 2015 venture into Hermitage Blanc further secures his position as a veritable titan in the world of fine wine investment.

 

A Poetic Balance

Unveiling a rich and ebullient bouquet marked by nuances of pear, honeysuckle and delicate toasted almond, this eloquent wine superbly marries the complexity demanded by discerning investors with an exquisite prowess that suits more relaxed occasions. Lasting mineral finish underscored with unheard-of precision — it's downright poetic how this gem achieves its balance.

 

Rhone's Considered Response to Global Conditions

The 2015 vintage could notably be remembered as a year that bore witness to some uncertain climatic conditions worldwide. A hot and dry summer in Rhone conferred an admirable concentration on the grapes. This piece of meteorological inheritance has resulted in a captivating combination of depth and elegance that cements the potential for investment in this remarkable vintage.

Layered notes of ripe nectarine draped in creamy nougat emerge from this wine's silky depths, sharply focused by a livewire streak of mineral zest. Dashes of glistening tropical fruit lend an elaborate intricacy to the body, marking where this bottle reaches out and grasps at true greatness.

The 2015 Hermitage Blanc from Jean-Louis Chave is the vinous equivalent of high art - a triumph of expression and finesse. Its Herculean structure promises to weather the routes of time, making it an undeniably attractive proposition for the sagacious wine investor. This wine is nothing short of a gift that gives further with each passing year.

Market price (USD)

$3,320.00

12x75cl

Highest score

96

POP score

170

Scores and tasting notes

95-97

Chave continues to make a full-throttle, concentrated and unctuous Hermitage Blanc, and refuses to buy into the ridiculous trend toward making Sauvignon Blanc-like whites from this tiny, magical terroir. God bless him for that and there are few whites I’d rather drink than a mature Hermitage Blanc from this genius winemaker. Starting with the latest vintage and tasted from multiple barrels, the 2015 Hermitage Blanc will be a sensational wine. This rich, unctuous beauty has terrific purity and depth, with the classic concentration, extract and fat that’s the hallmark of the estate’s Hermitage Blanc. White currants, buttered citrus, toasted bread and hints of flower oil are just some of the nuances here and this beauty will deliver the goods.

Jeb Dunnuck - The Wine Advocate, 30 December 2016

Vintage performance