3/99. Bought in auction, June-96 for $61 (imported for $77 net).
I last had this wine more than two years ago. Needless to say that a good Hermitage is among the very best wines anyone can get his hands [and palate] on.
Yesterday, for Friday night dinner of tempura-style seaweed-wrapped salmon, duck in Shiraz, local cheese and watermelon.
COLOR: Dark violet black only slight clearing around the rim. Plenty of sediment on the bottle side.
NOSE: Absolutely extraordinary! Neither shouting though certainly not mute, the beauty of the aroma is simply captivating. Deep nose of clean forest fruit with floral nuances and touch of exotic spices.
TASTE: A superb combination of delicacy and structure. Fruity, winey with excellent grip. Multi-flavored classy wine that fills the mouth. Tannins are still felt but not distracting. Well measured acidity add freshness.
LENGTH: Medium long aftertaste tinged with acidity.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Only medium-full bodied [for a Hermitage]. Extremely elegant wine that shows its breed with every sniff and sip. Plenty of fruit and wineyness, still some hard tannins and very good acidity.
OVERALL: Superb-plus!! A wonderful effort from J-L Chave who combines the sheer power of Hermitage with elegance and delicacy. I expect this wine to reach even higher spheres in a few years.
MARK: 18.5/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.

Reach Me? yak@yakshaya.com

Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.