Jean-Louis Chave, Saint-Joseph Rouge, Rhône Valley, France, 2023

Overview of the Wine
Going back to 1481, when the first Jean-Louis Chave was gifted a vineyard in St Joseph by the nobleman Farconnet, 25 generations have farmed some of the best parcels in the Northern Rhône. Though now known as perhaps the best producer of Hermitage (and certainly among the best blenders in the world), the family only expanded to this famous hill during the mid-1800s wave of phylloxera that decimated Europe's vineyards. 

In the 1970s, when Gerard Chave took over from his father, the domaine rapidly achieved megastar status due to the extraordinary quality of his wines. Gerard's son Jean-Louis (25th of his name) now oversees the estate and has shown an ever expanding dedication to improving the already stunning quality of these rare wines. Jean-Louis Chave regularly dedicates the domaine to intense and exacting projects, the benefits of which will be seen by future generations. Indeed, the estate employs three full time stonemasons just to repair the traditional stone walls dotting the vineyards. 

Since the 1990s, Jean-Louis Chave has offered a second label known as 'J.L. Chave Sélection' that provides a glimpse of the reason for the estate's fame at a fraction of the price. Many of these wines are from declassified estate wine and long term farming contracts, and are vinified in the domaine's primary cellar in Mauves. 

Winemaker
Jean-Louis Chave

Grapes / Blend
Syrah

Origin
Rhône Valley, France

Tasting Notes
The bouquet is vibrant and layered, with aromas of violet, rose petal, and wild herbs intertwined with ripe blackberry, plum, and a touch of black pepper. On the palate, it offers a perfect balance of richness and freshness—silky tannins frame flavors of dark fruit, subtle spice, and mineral undertones, leading to a long, harmonious finish.

93 Points - Decanter
A tasting of the constituent parts suggests that this will be an elegant, refined style of vintage without a big tannic frame. Acidity will be softer, more lactic than a typical year. Should drink well early and isn't likely to be one of the longest-lived vintages of this cuvée." —Matt Walls

93 Points - Vinous
Vinified with roughly 30% whole clusters, the 2023 Saint-Joseph reveals first impressions of highly fragrant orange blossom, dried violets and red cherry inflections. Midweight, round and refined, the markedly fresh 2023 can be enjoyed right out of the gate and I doubt it will ever close down. (NG)

Product size: 750ml