Game 2. Another victory. Another shutout. Another great young red Rhône.
2000 Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage, 13% alc.: This almost has the appearance of a glass of ink, but it’s young ink, with a purple-pink tinge. It’s all about underbrush, pepper and black fruit on the nose, with lots more of the same on the palate, being big, rich, expressive and very much primary in character, still years away from showing its best. Kim took a sip and exclaimed, “This is delicious!” She’s right, of course, even though it’s only nine years old. It’s a beautifully balanced wine that responds very well to aeration, taking on a strong note of new leather as it opens, which only adds to the appeal, so if you’re going to open it now, give it an hour in a decanter. Better yet, try one in three or four years to gauge where it’s at in its evolution. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one wants another five or even ten years to really show its best.
Reporting from Day-twah,
geo t.