Tasting Notes:
97 points Wine Enthusiast
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. (RV) (6/2002)
96 points Jeb Dunnuck
Always pure class and incredibly classic in style, the 1999 Hermitage is not fully mature yet has another 15 years of prime drinking. Ruby-hued with no signs of bricking, it offers textbook red and black fruits as well as smoked meat, camphor, crushed rock, and peppery herbs. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it’s balanced, seamless, and just a gorgeous Hermitage from one of the world’s greats. (8/2021)
96 points Wine Advocate
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. (RP) (4/2002)
95 points Int’l Wine Cellar
Good full ruby. Jammy black fruits and pepper on ths nose; distinctly wilder than the 2000. Fat, thick and powerful, with huge fruit and impressive volume. Offers an uncanny combination of flesh and thrust. Very silky in texture but with excellent acidity and lift. The big tannins spread out to coat the entire palate. This complete Hermitage actually closed down in my glass. I’d expect it to need a good decade before approaching maturity. (ST) 95+ (2/2002)
95 points Vinous
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. (NM) (6/2022)
Bottle Size:
1.5L – Magnum
Storage History:
Always stored properly in a climate controlled cellar.
Condition:
Label ripped as shown, otherwise perfect.
