2020 Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph, Rhone Valley, France 1.5L Magnum

ABOUT THIS WINE

The 2020 Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph is made from 100% Syrah, sourced from several distinct parcels within the Saint-Joseph appellation, particularly from areas with granite-based soils that contribute to the wine’s intensity and depth. In the glass, it opens with enticing aromas of blackberry, cherry, and violet, underpinned by hints of pepper, olive, and smoky minerality. The palate is beautifully layered with flavors of dark plum, blackcurrant, and touches of licorice and earthy spice. Fresh acidity and finely-grained tannins provide structure and elegance, making it both approachable in its youth and worthy of aging.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Going back to 1481, when the first Jean-Louis Chave was gifted a vineyard in St Joseph by the nobleman Farconnet, 25 generations have farmed some of the best parcels in the Northern Rhône. Though now known as perhaps the best producer of Hermitage (and certainly among the best blenders in the world), the family only expanded to this famous hill during the mid-1800s wave of phylloxera that decimated Europe's vineyards.

In the 1970s, when Gerard Chave took over from his father, the domaine rapidly achieved megastar status due to the extraordinary quality of his wines. Gerard's son Jean-Louis (25th of his name) now oversees the estate and has shown an ever expanding dedication to improving the already stunning quality of these rare wines. Jean-Louis Chave regularly dedicates the domaine to intense and exacting projects, the benefits of which will be seen by future generations. Indeed, the estate employs three full time stonemasons just to repair the traditional stone walls dotting the vineyards.

Since the 1990s, Jean-Louis Chave has offered a second label known as 'J.L. Chave Sélection' that provides a glimpse of the reason for the estate's fame at a fraction of the price. Many of these wines are from declassified estate wine and long term farming contracts, and are vinified in the domaine's primary cellar in Mauves.