Yann Chave : Le Rouvre 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the "Le Rouvre" 2023 by Yann Chave

Tasting notes

Colour
A deep ruby red hue, this cuvée is enhanced by violet and purple hints at the rim. Absolutely limpid with remarkable brilliance, it reveals thick tears slowly running down the sides of the glass.

Nose
Intense and precise, the bouquet opens with mineral notes of flint and smoke. With aeration, it becomes more complex, revealing aromas of black fruits (blackcurrant, blueberry, plum, dried black cherry), enhanced by touches of black olive, spices (black pepper, liquorice) and delicate floral fragrances reminiscent of violet and iris.

Palate
The attack is lively and full of energy, leading into a mid-palate that is generous, structured and rich in fruit. The tannins, silky and velvety in texture, envelop the palate with elegance. Notes of black fruits, liquorice and dried herbs come through, underpinned by a lovely minerality. The finish, remarkably fresh, lingers on spicy and mineral nuances.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted meats, such as beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, roasted squab or lamb. It also goes very well with hand-cut beef tartare, mature cheeses such as Saint-Nectaire, as well as Mediterranean dishes featuring sun-drenched vegetables or subtly spiced Asian cuisine.

Service and storage

It is recommended to briefly decant this wine before serving. Approachable from now, it has excellent aging potential and can be cellared until around 2038.

Other characteristics

Yields for this cuvée are naturally limited, ranging between 30 and 40 hectolitres per hectare, which favours a great concentration of aromas.

The elegance and minerality of a great Crozes-Hermitage wine

The estate

The estate's history began in 1970 when Nicole and Bernard Chave acquired four hectares of land in Mercurol, at the heart of the Rhône Valley. In 1996, their son Yann Chave left his banking career to take over the reins of the estate. Under his leadership, the estate turned towards sustainable practices and achieved organic certification in 2007. Today, Yann Chave runs this family vineyard of around twenty hectares, renowned for its authentic parcel-specific cuvées and its deep respect for the environment.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes from a two-hectare plot named "Les Pautus", located near Pont de l'Isère in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. This distinctive terroir is characterised by soils composed of rolled pebbles resting on granitic sands, providing excellent drainage and optimal heat retention. The vines, over sixty years old and derived from massale selection, have been cultivated according to organic farming principles for several decades.

The vintage

2023 was marked by particularly demanding climatic conditions in the northern part of the region. Despite these weather challenges and lower yields, the growing season resulted in grapes of exceptional quality and intensity.

Winemaking and aging

After complete destemming, the grapes undergo a gentle four-week maceration under controlled temperatures. Fermentation begins naturally through indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation and aging then take place over one year in 600-litre neutral wood demi-muids. Finally, the wine rests for six months in large inert vats for natural clarification, without fining or filtration, before bottling.

Grape variety

Syrah (100%).