Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Rhône > Northern Rhône > Hermitage |
Colour | White |
Type | Still |
Honeysuckle, verbena and chamomile aromas stream out first, followed by a remarkably creamy core of yellow apple, white peach, heather honey and warm mirabelle plum notes. Hazelnut oil and brioche line the finish, adding considerable length. Despite all the lushness and depth, this manages to maintain a sense of tension and precision as well. An amazing wine. Best from 2020 through 2045. 1,250 cases made.
Similar in style to the 2021, the 2014 Hermitage Blanc is a beautiful effort that has a slightly more vibrant, fresh, yet still rich profile that's drinking brilliantly even now. Stone fruits, buttered citrus, some obvious salty minerality, and white flowers all define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a seamless, elegant profile, and outstanding length.
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. Jean-Louis called 2014 a good year for the whites, and his 2014 Hermitage Blanc had just been bottled a month prior to my tasting. It has terrific minerality as well as classic stone fruits, buttered citrus, honeysuckle and crushed rock, full-bodied richness and an elegant, fresh, pure style. It will have two decades of longevity.