2017 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph
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Tasting notes
Showing similar to last year, the 2017 Saint Joseph offers textbook Saint Joseph minerality as well as notes of ripe red and black fruits, bacon fat, and peppery herbs. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and elegant, it's up with the crème de la crème of the appellation.
Critic scores
The Wine Advocate
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Inky ruby. An expansive bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, candied flowers and smoky bacon, along with suggestions of olive and pipe tobacco. Densely packed, spice-accented blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors show fine delineation and energetic lift thanks to a core of juicy acidity. A mineral nuance arrives with air and carries through a long, velvety finish framed by round, well-knit tannins.
Just a wonderfully fun, joyous expression of the appellation, Chave's 2017 Saint Joseph was set to be bottled the day after my visit. It blends lots from Chalaix, Dardouille, Les Oliviers, Bachasson, and Le Clos Florentin into a medium to full-bodied wine loaded with cherries and delicate herbal nuances. Silky and crisp on the finish, it can be enjoyed now and anytime over the next 5-6 years.
Meaty, minty, fragrant and layered. Such tenderness! Dry, finely hewn tannins. Long finish. Far from reaching its peak. (RH)
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.