Wine Advisor
JL Chave Selection, St Joseph Offerus 2020
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Saturated magenta. Smoke-accented aromas of cherry, blackberry, violet and black pepper, along with a smoky mineral touch that builds in the glass. Chewy and focused in the mouth, offering nicely concentrated, spice-laced and appealingly sweet black and blue fruit flavors with a touch of licorice. The peppery quality comes back strong on a long, sappy finish that's shaped by steadily building tannins.
About the Producer
In 1993, Jean-Louis Chav took over the family estate, but as if that wasn't enough work, a few years later he began reclaiming his family's hillside vineyard in St. Joseph. These vineyards were abandoned and needed to be re-terraced and replanted. The first vintage on the Jean-Louis Chave Selection label was 1995, and it came entirely from St. Joseph. At first, it was buying fruit from growers. As Jean-Louis Chav's own vineyards were replanted and began to bear fruit, Offeus became more estate-owned vineyards and less fruit was bought. Project Jean-Louis grew in scope over time as more newly planted vineyards came online Made from young vines planted in 2003 and owned by the estate. St. Joseph Blanc purchased vineyards from 2009, a Hermitage Rouge and Blanc, and the Rhône Coast.
