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Hermitage 1983 J-L Chave

1/99. Bought in auction, May-96 for $70 (imported for $86 net).
I first tasted this wine some two and a half years ago. Tonight we opened our last bottle to accompany a tasty Friday dinner at home. Assorted oriental hors d'oeuvres, smoked veal and baked potatoes, apples mash.
COLOR: Dark red but noticeable clearing around the rim. Tons of sediment on the bottle side and shoulder.
NOSE: Assertive and ripe 'Rhone Nose'. Very distinctive from the familiar rot of 'Bourgogne Nose' though there is some common denominator between the two. Not much black fruits and spices like expect from a good Hermitage.
TASTE: A bit hollow, and for a long hour dominated by acidity. Not lacking in personality, complexity or interest, but neither as tasty nor as impressive as other Hermitage wines I've had, even from Chave.
LENGTH: Pretty long, acidity-dominated aftertaste.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium-bodied (certainly for Hermitage). Good structure with some fruit and declining tannins. Lacks in winyness and stuffings though in time, acidity subsided somewhat and the wine became smoother and easier to enjoy.
OVERALL: Very-good-plus. Any Hermitage that gets less than 18 ought to be ashamed of itself...
MARK: 16.5/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? No.


Reach Me? yak@yakshaya.com

Yak's Home Page
Introducing Yak
Yak's Rating Scale
Yak's Burgundy Primer
Tasting Notes Archive
Wine & Food Adventures

Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.