Ratings & Tasting Notes:
96 points Jeb Dunnuck (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate)
This review praises the vintage’s flamboyant, sexy character, describing tons of sweet crème de cassis and peppery spice, highlighting the “classic minerality that’s the defining feature of the Bessards lieu-dit that dominates this cuvée.”
96 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
This review describes a structured, tight, and tannic wine, noting developed aromas of leather, cured meat, redcurrants, and black olives, calling it “medium to full-bodied, with a rich, velvety feel on the finish” built to age for at least another decade.
CellarTracker Community Score: 93.6 — Tasters describe layers of dark berry fruit, smoked meat, and subtle spice on a wine that’s exceptionally balanced with polished tannins and a long, elegant finish, calling it a wine “in a very good place now” that showcases the complexity and finesse Chave’s Hermitage is known for.
Cult Wines International Notes:
The Chave family has farmed vineyards in the Northern Rhône since 1481, making them one of the oldest continuously operating winemaking families in France. Jean-Louis Chave, the 16th generation to lead the estate, farms roughly 14.5 hectares in Hermitage — among the largest holdings in the appellation — and is widely regarded as one of the finest producers in the entire Rhône Valley. The estate’s Hermitage Rouge is a meticulous blend of several distinct parcels, each vinified separately before assembly, including the powerful, mineral-driven Les Bessards, the voluptuous Le Méal, and the perfumed Peléat, reflecting decades of accumulated knowledge about how each terroir contributes to the final wine.
The 2011 growing season in the Northern Rhône is widely regarded as one of the standout vintages of the era, producing wines critics have compared favorably to the legendary 1991. A warm start to the season gave way to a cooler summer, and a dry, well-timed autumn allowed for extended hang time and full phenolic ripeness. The resulting wines are prized for their balance of finesse and density — elegant and terroir-driven rather than purely powerful, with critics singling out this bottling’s exceptional depth and length relative to its peers in the vintage.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Outstanding condition.
Please note: The condition of the bottle you will receive is accurately reflected by the one shown in the images.
