# Hermitage (2020)

- **Producer:** Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €450
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, violet, black pepper, liquorice, cedar, vanilla, smoke, leather, game, tobacco

## About this wine

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is a legendary estate in the Northern Rhône, with a winemaking lineage dating back to 1481. Based in Mauves, the family has passed down their unparalleled knowledge of the Hermitage hill through 16 generations. Jean-Louis Chave, the current custodian, is widely regarded as a master blender. Rather than bottling single-vineyard wines, Chave believes that the true soul of Hermitage is expressed by blending fruit from various distinct climats (such as Les Bessards, Le Méal, and L'Ermite), each contributing unique structural, aromatic, and textural elements to create a harmonious masterpiece.

## Interesting facts

- The Chave family has been continuously growing vines and making wine in the Rhône Valley since 1481.
- Chave rejects the modern trend of single-climat bottlings, insisting that the ultimate Hermitage must be a blend.
- The granite-rich 'Les Bessards' vineyard forms the structural backbone and soul of this iconic red wine.

## Food pairing

The immense structure, high tannins, and savory, peppery profile of Chave Hermitage require rich, protein-heavy dishes like game, lamb, or beef. The wine's natural acidity cuts through fat, while its dark fruit and herbal notes complement roasted herbs and earthy truffles.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Domaine Jean-Louis Chave is deeply traditional and non-interventionist. Grapes are harvested by hand from individual parcels on the Hermitage hill and vinified separately. Depending on the vintage, a portion of the grapes is destemmed. Fermentation takes place in a combination of wooden vats and stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 18 to 26 months in French oak casks (pièces), of which only a small percentage is new, to preserve the purity of the terroir. The final, defining step is the meticulous blending of the components before the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.