2023 Jean-Louis Chave "Clos Florentin" Saint-Joseph, Rhône Valley, France

ABOUT THE WINE

The 2023 Jean-Louis Chave "Clos Florentin" Saint-Joseph is crafted from 100% estate-grown Syrah. Sourced from a historic 4-hectare walled vineyard in the heart of Mauves, the winemaking follows the Chave family’s traditional, minimal-intervention philosophy. The fruit is hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, with rigorous selection in both the vineyard and the winery. Fermentation occurs in a combination of stainless steel tanks and traditional large French oak tonneaux using native yeasts. Winemaking is gentle and features controlled, subtle extraction. The wine is aged for roughly 15 to 18 months in French oak casks—mostly older, neutral barrels and larger foudres—to preserve the purity of the Syrah and the site’s terroir. 

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

The Chave family has cultivated vines on the Hermitage hill since 1481, with Jean-Louis Chave continuing a lineage defined by deep reverence for tradition and terroir. Now a 16th-generation vigneron, Jean-Louis blends parcels from across Hermitage’s varied slopes to craft wines that are both powerful and nuanced, capturing the site’s multidimensional grandeur.

Practicing organic and biodynamic farming, the domaine emphasizes soil vitality, biodiversity, and minimal intervention. Chave’s philosophy is rooted in respect for nature and heritage—eschewing trends in favor of time-honored methods that allow the terroir to speak. Their wines are celebrated for their ageability, complexity, and soulful elegance, making them some of the most coveted in the Rhône and beyond.