Wine Advisor
Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage Blanc 1998
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The blend for the 1998 Hermitage blanc had not yet been done, but tasting through the different component parts revealed that this is a vintage of extraordinary ripeness, full-bodied unctuosity, gorgeous purity, and heady glycerin and alcohol levels. A terrific white Hermitage, it will be powerful and rich. Importers: Langdon Shiverick, Cleveland OH; tel. (216) 861-6800 and Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1998 Hermitage is structured, powerful, and super-concentrated, but not very flattering to drink at present, it is a full-bodied, long, intense effort revealing notes of liquid minerals, peaches, acacia flowers, and honey. Importers: Langdon Shiverick, Cleveland OH; tel. (216) 861-6800 and Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A retasting of the 1998 Hermitage blanc confirmed its brilliant quality. It is an elegant, floral-scented, structured white Hermitage. It boasts fabulous concentration, but is less flattering and precocious than either the 1999 or 2000. If the latter two wines lean toward a flamboyant style, the 1998 should prove to be one of the more muscular, long lived, backward efforts requiring patience. When I arrived at 6:00 p.m., September 11, 2001, at Domaine Chave, I found Chave in tears and his family distraught. I had heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center, but not the subsequent collapse of both towers. Gerard Chave knows all about suicidal bombers, having served in the French military during the Algerian revolution. It took a long time to gather sufficient focus to do my tastings. However, the brilliant wines that unfolded in the cellars were, at least for several hours, a much needed antidote for pushing to the back of my mind the horror of 9-11-01. Importers: Langdon Shiverick, Cleveland OH; tel. (216) 861-6800 and Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524
