Hermitage: Jean-Louis Chave 1997
Description
'One of my favorite white Hermitage to drink now is the 1997, which has much in common with the 2000. It is an unctuously-textured, full-bodied white with an evolved personality.' Robert Parker, 94 points
- Style: White Wine, Dry (Sec), Full-bodied
- Region: Rhone, Hermitage,
- Producer: Gérard & Jean-Louis Chave
- Vintage: 1997
- Grape variety (Cépage): Marsanne, Roussanne
This is an Archived Wine- Cellarage: Approachable when young this wine is best drunk at 2-3 years of age or after at least seven years cellarage. Superior vintages can age well for
decades (30+ years). - Vinification: The grapes are rigorously harvested by hand at optimum maturity, from four different lieu dits (L'Hermite, Peleat, Maison Blanche and Rocoules)
from vines subjected to minimal treatments and short pruning. The grapes are bladder pressed before a 24-hour debourbage (settling) and the juice is then transferred to cask (circa 80%) and stainless steel (circa 20%) for fermentation. After alcoholic and malolactic fermentation the wine is racked clear and lightly sulphured. After the lightest of finings and at least 12 months élevage the final assemblage (blending) takes place. The wine is then left to 'harmonise' for several weeks before a very light plate filtration and eventual bottling.