Sixteen generations of Chave have worked the Northern Rhône since 1481, and this Syrah is assembled from a mosaic of historic parcels, Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, Lemps, each throwing its own element into the blend. The old Tournon vines, some rooted in granite and clay since the early 1900s, give the wine its depth and its supple, unforced tannin, while the more acidic granite lends lift through the mid-palate. That's over a century of vine memory in the glass, and nobody here is trying to dress it up.
Tasting Notes
Drawn from a mosaic of historic parcels in the original villages of Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Lemps, each parcel contributes a distinct element to the blend. Old vines in Tournon, some dating to the early 1900s, grow on granite mixed with clay and bring depth and supple tannins; the more acidic granite slopes of Mauves provide freshness and structure; Pichonnier in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, with finer-grained granite, contributes generosity and ripe tannins; and Bachasson in Lemps adds structure from soils comparable to parts of Hermitage. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts in a combination of wood tonneaux and stainless steel tanks, followed by 15–18 months of aging in barriques, a measured élevage designed to preserve the character of each terroir while building structure, complexity, and aging potential.
About the Producer
Few who cherish the power and perfume of classically made Hermitage would argue that the greatest red and white examples emerge from the Chave family cellars. The current generations in charge, father Gérard and son Jean-Louis, use their knowledge, experience and spread of lieux-dits to craft wines that combine all the power, longevity, nuance and refinement that the Hermitage hill is capable of. The expertise that Gérard and Jean-Louis draw upon is not only their own, but also the accumulated wisdom of their ancestors, transmitted down through the generations since Chaves began making Hermita…
