Professional Reviews
Antonio Galloni
AG
95
"The 1999 L’Hermitage is an entirely different proposition with melted red fruit, clove, Italian meats and a touch of garrigues, biding its time before opening fully. The palate is reaching full maturity with firm tannins, red fruit infused with clove and thyme, less dense and muscular than bottles I tasted several years ago. Perhaps I would still afford it just another couple of years in bottle. There was one addition." -Neal Martin
Robert Parker
RP
96
"The dense saturated purple-colored 1999 Hermitage had been bottled only 24 hours before my visit. It is a brilliant effort. The wine exhibits fabulous texture, purity, and sweetness as well as a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. There is high tannin, remarkably rich, concentrated extract, and tell-tale Hermitage fruit characteristics (blackberries, cassis), minerals, and spice. This is the greatest vintage Chave has produced since 1990. While it requires 7-10 years of cellaring, it will last for 4-5 decades."
Wine Spectator
WS
95
"Now starting to hit a second phase, this has perfumy, singed balsam wood, dried currant and blood orange fruit and orange rooibos tea notes all gliding on a fine-grained finish where sanguine and white pepper notes flicker through. Still has an ample core of plum and red currant fruit, with a nice tug of earth for grip. *"
Wine Enthusiast
WE
97
"Jean-Louis, the son of Gérard Chave, is now in charge of the family business, as well as being president of the Hermitage wine producers. He is continuing the family tradition of making powerful statements of Syrah from Hermitage, combining massive structure and over-powering perfumes. This 1999 seems to have the best of the traditional world of tannic immensity and the modern world of beautiful, ripe fruit. A wine that will age for a very long time."
Details
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Grape Variety
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Vintage
1999
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Size
750ml
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Farming Practice
Traditional