| Score: |
95 JG.
"This is one of the more backward and by far, the best example of the ’85 Chave that I have tasted. This is a vintage from Chave that is quite inconsistent stylistically (some bottles are all raspberry, hot stones and pepper, others much more black fruity and meaty), but qualitatively, each manifestation has been excellent. This particular bottle was profound, offering up an explosive bouquet of black raspberry, bacon fat, grilled meats, medicinal syrah tones, hot stones, herbs and cedary, spicy wood. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, packed with fruit, with great focus and grip, bright acids, some serious ripe tannins, and a long, complex and palate-staining finish. This wine is still in need of a few more years of cellaring to reach its apogee, where it should drink magically for two to three decades. Still early days for this great wine." View From the Cellar, Bonus Articles, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (December 2003) (12/1/2003) |