Domaine Jean-Louis Chave 2022 Hermitage Blanc – High-Rated White Wine

Hermitage Blanc 2022
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave | Rhône Valley | Marsanne-Roussanne Blend | 15% ABV

About This Wine
From Domaine Jean-Louis Chave’s legendary terroir in Hermitage comes this extraordinary 2022 Blanc—a testament to Rhône Valley excellence crafted from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes harvested during one of history’s earliest vintages (August 23–28). With yields as sparse as 22 hectoliters per hectare, this wine distills pure terroir intensity into every bottle: mineral-driven layers of stone fruit evolve into honeyed almond notes while chalky tannins mirror red-wine structure—perfect for decanting before savoring its gastronomic depth over meals or cellar aging for years to come.

Critic Acclaim
– Jeb Dunnuck (97 Points): “A chiseled white Hermitage blending stone fruit purity with crushed stone minerality that evolves into almond butter richness.”
– Vinous (97 Points): “Floral intensity meets lush peach preserves on a palate that marries power with vibrant freshness—true blanc de blancs elegance.”
– Decanter (96 Points): “Richer than typical years from Péléat’s clay soils; floral honeysuckle contrasts Rocoules’ denser mineral core—a vinous paradox.”
– Wine Advocate (95 Points): “Baked orchard fruit complexity meets suave texture; phenolic grip signals its gastronomic potential when matched with bold cuisine.”

Perfect Pairings & Cellaring Potential
Pair this wine’s opulent texture with seared scallops in brown butter sauce or aged Gouda atop crusty bread—its phenolic backbone demands equally bold flavors while its mineral clarity cuts through richness effortlessly. Though approachable now with airtime, its structured core rewards patient cellaring through 2035+—ideal for collectors seeking age-worthy whites that defy convention.

Why It Stands Out
As a cornerstone of Domaine Chave’s legacy—whose family has farmed Hermitage since 1841—this blanc redefines white-wine complexity through meticulous plot-by-plot blending from four distinct crus: Péléat’s clay-rich opulence contrasts Ermite’s floral finesse while Maison Blanche adds tension and Rocoules contributes chalky minerality. At once hedonistic yet precise—a rare harmony only possible from one of France’s most revered hillside appellations.

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