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Tasting notes
Smoked meat, dense black fruit, soft tannin. Potent, heavyweight, formidable – hardcore Syrah that needs time to open. (RH)
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Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Deep ruby. Vibrant, sharply focused aromas of fresh dark berries, potpourri and licorice along with a smoky mineral overtone. Juicy and vibrant on the palate, offering concentrated boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and spicier with air. Fine-grained tannins give shape to the impressively long, mineral-driven finish, which leaves behind sexy floral pastille and spicecake notes.
Tasted in components: #1, from Bacheson: High-pitched red berry and mineral aromas, with a foral nuance emerging slowly. Lively and sharply focused, showing strong finishing cut to its raspberry and bitter cherry flavors. Very energetic and pure. #2, from Le Clos: Smoky, highly perfumed dark berry and violet scents, with a mineral quality expanding with air. Juicy blackberry and cherry flavors show excellent concentration and an exotic touch of Indian spices. Clings with strong spicy tenacity on the back. #3, from Les Challeys: Drop-dead gorgeous aromas of candied red and dark berries, smoky mineral and potpourri accents and spicecake. Sappy, expansive and alluringly sweet, with outstanding finishing thrust and repeating spiciness. The final blend should be elegant, focused and mineral-driven, with character that's more reminiscent of Côte-Rôtie than Hermitage.
About the producer
The Chaves have been growing grapes in the Northern Rhône since 1481. Jean-Louis Chave is the 16th generation to head up the family domaine, having taken over from his father in 1992.