2023 Domaine Yann Chave Hermitage Rouge

Balsamic, slightly tangy notes on the nose. Enjoyably fresh and zesty style of Hermitage on the palate, if not a particularly concentrated or powerful one. The oak spice should integrate and provide further complexity in time, but wait until at least 2031. Vines of nearly 50 years of age grown organically on lieux-dits Les Beaumes and Péléat, matured in demi-muids with malolactic fermentation in barrel. (MW)

The 2022 was one of my WOW! wines of last year. It was packed with explosive Syrah fruit and a savory, floral edge, with tremendous length on the palate. It just kept delivering with every sip. The 2023 follows a similar profile but with a little more elegance and lift. The fruit comes from two parcels, Beaume and Pelléat, on the eastern side of the hill, where the vines catch more of the morning sun. Like me, it’s an early riser, but one that will deliver even more as the day grows long—or with just a few more years in bottle. This is a beautifully balanced expression with plenty to offer now and even more to come with time.