Jean-Louis Chave : Hermitage Domaine 2020

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for the Hermitage Domaine 2020 by Jean-Louis Chave

Tasting

Appearance

The color shows a moderately deep garnet hue with a slight transparency, suggesting grace and precision rather than opaque power.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, with notes of red fruits (blackcurrant, cherry), dark chocolate, toasted spices, cured meat, and leather. Aromas of cracked pepper and freshly turned earth complete the bouquet, underscoring the wine’s granitic mineral character and the deep expression of its terroir.

Palate

On the palate, this wine offers impressive concentration and a fine, polished tannic structure. The body is full, supported by firm acidity that brings freshness and balance despite the evident richness. A silky texture and mineral energy define the mid-palate, while the finish lingers beautifully, with savory sapidity and striking purity of expression.

Food and wine pairings

This Rhône Valley wine pairs ideally with herb-roasted leg of lamb with herbs de Provence, feathered game such as pheasant or guinea fowl, or venison prepared in classic French style. Simply seared aged beef, herb-scented pork preparations, or dishes highlighting mushrooms and truffles also make excellent matches.

Serving and cellaring

This Hermitage Domaine 2020 will benefit from decanting before serving to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. Serve at a temperature of 16-18°C.

A Classic, Balanced Hermitage from the Rhône Valley

The estate

The Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, whose origins date back to 1481, stands as one of Europe’s oldest winegrowing dynasties, with sixteen uninterrupted generations. Jean-Louis Chave, the current owner, now oversees a twenty-eight-hectare estate spread across Hermitage and Saint-Joseph. Recognized as France’s eighth-best winemaker, he continues a philosophy centered on expressing terroir through the art of blending, practicing certified organic viticulture since 2019 and drawing inspiration from biodynamic principles, while maintaining uncompromising quality standards.

The vineyard

The Hermitage comes from parcels on the hill of Hermitage, facing due south thanks to a bend in the Rhône. The estate owns around fourteen hectares within this 350-hectare appellation, representing 11% of the total area. The soils display striking geological diversity: granite and schist on the western slopes, rounded stones on the Méal plateau, wind-blown loess in the north, and calcareous puddingstone in the south. This mosaic of terroirs enables Jean-Louis Chave to blend components from distinct lieux-dits such as Les Bessards, Le Méal, L'Ermite, Maison-Blanche, Péléat and Diognères, each contributing specific mineral and aromatic traits.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in the northern Vallée du Rhône was marked by an early season triggered by a warm March, followed by dryness and heat. Timely rains in May and June sustained vine vigor, while cool nights during ripening preserved acidity. Harvesting, among the earliest since 2003, took place in early September. This vintage produced classic, balanced wines, favoring freshness and elegance after several years of exceptional concentration and intense heat.

Winemaking and aging

Each parcel of Hermitage Domaine 2020 is vinified separately in stainless-steel tanks and small foudres, after destemming the majority of the grapes. Aging lasts for around eighteen months in Burgundian barrels, with a low proportion of new oak to preserve the expression of the terroir. Jean-Louis Chave carries out repeated tastings over ten to twelve months to assess the evolution of each component before the final blend. Up to 20% of the barrels may be excluded from the final cuvée, reflecting rigorous selection. The blend is created without reference to previous vintages, with each year approached as a new creation.

Grape variety

100% Syrah