2020 Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Saint-Joseph 1x750ml

Vinous 96-97

As with the 2020 L’Hermitage, I tasted this wine in its components, shortly before blending and bottling. This vintage is highly successful at Chave, and this wine, which would qualify as the gateway bottling made from estate fruit, looks to be outstanding, with juicy, spice-laced red and blue fruit character of noteworthy freshness, plus strong florality and mineral drive. I was also struck by the fineness of the tannins, which will likely make the final wine deceptively approachable on release. Don’t be fooled – this wine has a long and enviable track record for rewarding patience. [Josh Raynolds, 12/22/2022]