Description
Jean-Louis Chave Sélection Hermitage Blanche 2020 (WA97)
Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage white wine legend, crafts his négociant Selection as terroir-pure Northern Rhône at accessible price. The 2020 blends 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne from elite hillside sites, delivering honeyed citrus, flinty minerality and extraordinary balance—15+ years aging potential.
Winemaking & Style
Hand-harvested parcel selection from Hermitage hillside lieux-dits, limestone-granite soils imparting minerality.
Temperature-controlled stainless fermentation followed by oak aging (some new barrels), indigenous yeast for purity.
12 months oak maturation builds creamy nut and honey layers while preserving vibrant acidity.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep gold with green highlights
Aroma: Ripe peach, mango, lily, acacia, toasted hazelnut, honey, flint
Palate: Full-bodied rich tropical fruit, mineral acidity supporting structure, creamy nut mid-palate complexity, honey-flint endless finish
Ratings & Accolades
Jeb Dunnuck: 99 points — "Incredibly perfumed, seamless texture, purity and balance off the charts"
Wine Advocate: 97 points — "Extraordinary richness meets precision"
Jancis Robinson: 18/20 — "Perfect honey-stone fruit balance"
Serving temperature: 11–13°C
Suggested pairings: Garlic butter lobster, cheese-baked crab, creamy garlic scallops, truffle cheese clams, smoked salmon, coconut curry chicken, cheeseburger.
Special Notes: Chave family négociant masterpiece (80% Marsanne + 20% Roussanne) from elite Hermitage hillside sites, limited production; 2020 showcases perfect ripeness and power, optimal from 2025 through 2040+ for nut-honey-petrol complexity.
Region: France, Rhône Valley, Hermitage
Type: White Wine
Grape Variety: 80% Marsanne + 20% Roussanne
Alcohol: 14%
Volume: 750ml