Rhône ·
A lovely recent showing plus a few extra bottles equals a fun midweek Chave offer. The bottle reminded why this vintage stands with the distinctest vintages ever produced here, more about which below.
First, the nose is extraordinarily clear: alert red fruit, very focused, with black pepper and hickory smoke arranged neatly behind. Everything is in its place. Fruit foremost, flowers and spices after, subtly meatier with time.
Acidity drives the wine (1996!) but doesn’t ‘stick out.’ A late harvest provides the final bit of flesh to buffer, a lovely complement.
Cheers,
Jason
