For years Bernard Chave had turned out good honest Crozes Hermitage and a fairly average Hermitage - rustic and rather foursquare. In 1997 his extremely talkative and enthusiastic son Yan took over control and like all good offspring, set about changing what his father had done for years. The family own 1.5ha of Hermitage split between Peleat and Beaumes. One of the first changes that Yan undertook was to move the estate to organic viticulture. Yields were significantly reduced and the harvest was carried out much later. The wines were fermented in temperature controlled vats and the grapes totally de-stemmed.
All the old oak was thrown out and a healthy mixture of new and one to two-year-old oak piece and demi-muids introduced. Tasting from barrel to barrel, it was plainly obvious that Yan was making outstanding wine. In particular his special cuvee of Crozes Hermitage, partly aged in new oak and from old vines grown in the communes of Chassis and Larnage, was superb and, for me, one of the top wines I had tasted from this appellation.
Per case ex VAT
Northern Rhone
2001 Crozes Hermitage 'Tete de Cuvee' Inky black and brimming with super-ripe cassis and toasty flavours. Like the Hermitage Yan’s Crozes will age well but will be a great chewy mouthful when young. A stunning cuvee. (JG)
149.00
2003 Crozes Hermitage 'Tete de Cuvee' Clean, deep, concentrated & aromatic with integrated oak, herbs & earth. Medium bodied, medium acidity, medium-high tannins, pronounced fruity super ripe blackcurrant, earth, herbs & integrated oak. Very concentrated, mouthfilling with a spicy long & complex finish. Best I’ve tasted. (CG)
158.00
2005 Crozes Hermitage 'Tradition'
122.00
2005 Hermitage Explosively perfumed with a wonderful array of blackcurrants, violets and spice. Full and brimming with an abundance of assorted flavours encased in a firm but ripe tannic shell. Well balanced with fine acidity gives this wine great ageing potential. I would love to see this beauty age for 15+ years. (JG)
390.00
Except where indicated all wines are priced per case of 12x75cl exclusive of VAT and onward UK carriage.
Delivery charges (exclusive of VAT):-
1 case - £10.95
2-3 cases - £9.50
4 + cases - FREE
E&OE. All wines are available subject to remaining unsold.
For export and all customers requiring the facilities of a bond the majority of our wines are available without duty under bond.
Current duty rates per 12 x 75cl,
still wines £17.50
sparkling wines £22.40
fortified wines £23.32
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So if you're looking for a particular vintage to celebrate a special occasion, look no further. Vintage whisky, armagnac & cognac.
