Wine Advisor
Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage 2002
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A deep purple/opaque colour. The nose is intense, cassis and blueberry; rich a hedonistic though lacking typicity. The palate is well-balanced without any obvious faults: not over-oaked with good acidity. Black cherry, cassis and vanilla. A bright, vibrant wine, yet it lacks personality and certainly lacks typicity - it could come from anywhere. Monotonous finish. Enjoyable yes, but it does not compare with other vintages even though it is a success in the context of a disastrous year. Tasted August 2005.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of the candidates for the Rhone Valley’s “wine of the vintage” is Chave’s 2002 Hermitage. A draconian selection has resulted in a deep ruby/purple-colored offering revealing sweet notes of melted licorice, briery berries, earth, and herbs. Medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant, and intense, this forward-styled Hermitage appears to be better than the 1992, 1993, and 1994, which are all fine wines that are holding up well. The 2002 should be at its peak between 2005-2015. What Chave accomplished in the extremely challenging 2002 vintage is unquestionably noteworthy. Not because of tiny yields and small grapes, but due to Chave’s decision to eliminate every grape except the very best, 2002 is a small crop. Importers: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524 and Langdon Shiverick, Cleveland, OH; tel. (216) 861-6800. Note: Importers are in the process of changing.
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