Jean-Louis Chave 2015 Hermitage Blanc 750ml
Light brilliant yellow. An intensely perfumed, powerful bouquet evokes fresh pear, peach nectar, anise, iodine and candied ginger, and a smoky mineral quality builds steadily in the glass. Sappy, seamless and incisive on the palate, offering intense orchard and pit fruit and honeysuckle flavors that are lifted and braced by a core of dusty minerality and a bitter jolt of orange pith. Clings with superb tenacity on the mineral-driven finish, leaving sexy floral and ripe citrus fruit notes behind.
Score: 97 points -- Josh Raynolds, Vinous, Feb 2018
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Chave continues to make a full-throttle, concentrated and unctuous Hermitage Blanc, and refuses to buy into the ridiculous trend toward making Sauvignon Blanc-like whites from this tiny, magical terroir. God bless him for that and there are few whites I’d rather drink than a mature Hermitage Blanc from this genius winemaker. Starting with the latest vintage and tasted from multiple barrels, the 2015 Hermitage Blanc will be a sensational wine. This rich, unctuous beauty has terrific purity and depth, with the classic concentration, extract and fat that’s the hallmark of the estate’s Hermitage Blanc. White currants, buttered citrus, toasted bread and hints of flower oil are just some of the nuances here and this beauty will deliver the goods.
Score: (95 - 97) points -- Jeb Dunnuck, Robertparker.com, Dec 2016