Jay Kline

9.5

It’s been a couple of years since I last encountered the 2001 vintage of Chave’s Hermitage. That bottle was a library release from the domaine and so is this example. Splash decanted directly before service. The 2001 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous and a total umami bomb: Koji beef broth, dried and baked brambles, dried purple flowers, black pepper, Kalamata olive, organic and inorganic earth along with fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Looking back on my notes from 2024, there’s a common theme: the 2001 is all about dat bass. Drink now with some patience and through 2041. — 4 days ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Bright and quite alcoholic. Very pretty and lifted. Bright cherry and classic rayas purity. Lovely balance. Still young. Excellent — 20 days ago

with Rick, Naoko and 1 other

Irina Georgieva

9.7

Amazing rich wine, well-balanced, at its prime! — 13 days ago

Chris MacLean

9.3

To quote my earlier notes: “A $40 bottle that tastes like a $60-70 bottle.” — a month ago

with Sarah

Doug Powers

9.5

This smells and tastes like a 20-year-old wine, not quite as great as the 1989, but not very far behind, these Chave Hermitage Blancs are outstanding!! — 11 days ago

with Jim

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Love these wines. 2014 Reynard is showing beautifully after sufficient aeration, layered and complete, wafting cassis, campfire smoke, olive tapenade and violets. The palate is seamless, elegant and satiny with a liquid rock minerality, fine grained tannins and massive length. A killer Reynard that right now is even more showy than surrounding vintages. — a month ago

Mark Rosse

9.6

Absolutely fantastic! — 13 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.0

Dark rubi robe with a purple hue, not showing its 25 years. Nose is very evolved and more on secondary notes. Big disappointment on the mouth, very evolved and lacking complexity for such a stellar reputation. A good bottle that is not worth the price tag… — 3 days ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Blend of 70% old Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% other allowed varieties, aged for 3 years, deep inky red color with aromas of ripe berry fruits and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of black raspberry and blackberry with cedar, cacao and earth notes, vivid acidity nice structure. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit and spice character. Good now will still cellar. — 19 hours ago

Steven Heydemann

9.3

Showing beautifully. On release the 98 was not rated that highly. With time, it exceeds expectations. — 22 days ago