The Chave family has been working the Northern Rhône since 1481, sixteen generations on the hill of Hermitage, and this Syrah is drawn from a mosaic of historic parcels across Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Lemps. The old vines in Tournon, some planted in the early 1900s on granite mixed with clay, give the wine its depth and its supple tannins, while the leaner granite elsewhere keeps everything lifted and precise. Five centuries of one family reading the same hillside, and it's all right there in the mid-palate.
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.
