Chave tasting (wow)! Not to miss!

Spots are still available for Boulder Burgundy Festival (October 24-26), including the Sunday seminar/tasting bonus package. Click here to reserve now.

Please join us as we welcome Liz Willette from Willette Wines to the store on Wednesday, October 22!

Chave (!!!)
with Liz Willette
Weds., 10/22, 5-7pm
in-store tasting
complimentary
See wines below.

A note from Brett:

“Liz is a special friend in the industry and we are always thrilled to have her at the store pouring wines and sharing her vast wine knowledge. We considered having her pour some of the amazing wines she has from Germany, a few of her new Etna acquisitions, or her amazing selection of exciting Burgundy. Instead, we decided to highlight a few additional wines from Jean-Louis Chave in the Rhône Valley — the King of Hermitage. Arguably one of the best wine makers and farmers on the planet, these wines are stunning across the board. The value associated with this selection of wines cannot be understated. I know that $90 is not inexpensive for a bottle of wine, but when compared to other Hermitage wines or his estate wines at four times the price, these wines over-deliver in every way! As the transition of the seasons gets into full swing, look for these wines to wow your guests with remarkable wine pairings.”

The wines will be available at a 10% discount on the day of the tasting. We look forward to seeing you! This is a special one, not to miss!

Crozes-Hermitage Blanc ‘Sybele’ $38.99

60% Marsanne, 40% Roussanne from a vineyard owned by Jean Louis’ caviste. The vineyard is made up of rare Kaolin soil, which looks like white hail on the surface of the clay soil. This soil is specific to the village of Larnage and is derived from granite. The name ‘Sybele’ refers to the French term for “so beautiful – si belle”, but in Greek mythology, Sybele was also the Goddess who ate her children! The grapes are vinified at the Chave domaine using indigenous yeasts and old tonneaux. The wine is then aged 15-18 months in used oak barrels. Only 40/12 pack cases are imported into the US annually.

Crozes-Hermitage Rouge ‘Silene’ $38.99

100% Syrah. Silène was Bacchus’ drunken godfather. The grapes come from hillside vineyards located in Larnage, as well as a parcel on the east rear flank of Hermitage owned by Jean Louis. His father got this vineyard as part of his purchase of the L’Hermite parcel in 1982, and Jean Louis planted it in 2002. Both parcels are farmed organically. It is rare for Crozes-Hermitage to come from hillside, granitic soil – most is sourced from the alluvial valley floor. The granitic soil gives more structure and freshness. The grapes are vinified at the Chave domaine using indigenous yeasts in a mix of stainless steel and old tonneaux. The wine is then aged 15-18 months in 600-liter oak casks. 300/12pack cases are imported into the US.

Hermitage Blanc ‘Blanche’ $90.99

‘Blanche’ is named after Blanche de Castile, former Queen of France, who allowed the first vines to be planted on the hill of Hermitage. The vines are so old that though they think the blend is about 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, they cannot be completely sure. The grapes come from the parcels in Péleat, Maison Blanche and L’Hermite. Péleat’s soil is made of sand and pebbles and gives finesse to the blend. It is also a monopole for Chave. Maison Blanche has red clay and loess and gives balance and high tone. L’Hermite is a patchwork of different soil types within one vineyard and provides great aromatics. Both this and the Hermitage Rouge ‘Farconnet’ have some purchased fruit from Bernard Faury as well Domaine fruit. This is a white Hermitage that has the lovely combination of being approachable young as well as having upwards of ten years of aging potential. The wine is fermented in barriques and then aged for 18-24 months. 200/12 pack cases are imported to the US each year.

Hermitage Rouge ‘Farconnet’ $91.99

‘Farconnet’ is the name of the nobleman from whom Jean Louis’ great grandfather bought the Bessards parcel, which is the backbone of the Domaine Hermitage bottling. It is made up of fruit that did not make it into the Domaine bottling, as well as some purchased fruit from Bernard Faury. ‘Farconnet’ is sourced from three distinct parcels: Diognières, Péleat, and Greffieux. Péleat is a monopole for Chave and gives finesse to the blend with its sandy soil. Diognières is at the base of the hill on alluvial soil with many small pebbles, and gives spice and the finishing touch to the blend. Lastly, Greffieux sits at the base of Le Méal on the hill. The soil consists of rolled river stones brought by the glaciers and contributes structure to the finished wine. ‘Farconnet’ is fermented in tonneaux and stainless steel, and then aged in barriques for 18-24 months. 200 12/pack cases are imported to the US each year.