The 2023 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc is one of the great white wines of France, and far rarer than the domaine's red. Roughly four parts Marsanne to one part Roussanne, drawn from the Rocoules, Péléat, L'Hermite and Maison Blanche lieux-dits on the Hermitage hill, fermented in barrel and aged around two years on lees with very little new oak.
The 2023 shines with immaculate balance: honeysuckle, fresh pear, yellow apple, wet stone and a delicate chamomile note. The palate is broad-shouldered, concentrated and sapid, yet it carries the heat of the 2023 summer without a trace of heaviness. Nicolas Greinacher at Vinous gave it 96 points and called it "such a gorgeous and masterfully assembled white L'Hermitage"; Matt Walls at Decanter also scored it 96, pointing to the Péléat and Rocoules fruit behind its expressive, juicy, supple style.
Ben's Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, this is the bottle to buy if you buy one Chave a decade. Drink from 2026 through 2040; serve at cellar temperature rather than cold, and give it an hour in a decanter when young. Pair with roast chicken with tarragon, lobster, scallops in brown butter, aged Comté or a mushroom risotto.
