Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage Blanc Vintage:2007

Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage Blanc Vintage:2007The exuberant 2007 Hermitage Blanc reveals notes of petroleum, crushed rocks, earth, white currants and peaches, an unctuous texture, high glycerin and good acidity. This big, thick white Hermitage will not be as long lived as the 2009, but for drinking over the next two decades, it is impossible to resist. Jean Louis and Gerard Chave opened a bottle of the 2003 Hermitage Blanc to give me an idea of how this vintage is aging. This monumental offering,

grainy tannins

very tight and tannic

kirsch and thyme-scented perfume

redcurrant and violet on the nose

menthol and licorice all develop in the glass

Both the 2010 and the 2009 continue to blow me away every time I taste them

there is a minor sensation of green flavors

scattered all over Chambolle)

youthfully austere and built-to-age finish that just goes on and on

especially when you add in the mature mouth feel and taste

Impressively concentrated but surprisingly lively thanks to its spine of smoky minerality

The 2006 Barolo San Rocco is sensual and enveloping