Crozes-Hermitage Silène
2023
The Chave family is the epitome of 'People, Place and Time'. They have been vignerons in the Rhône valley since 1481 - an astonishing 16 generations. Originally the family farmed only in St. Joseph, moving to Hermitage about a century ago when phylloxera swept through the region. Today Chave Hermitage Rouge and Hermitage Blanc are generally regarded as the appellation's greatest wines. In recent years Jean Louis has begun the painstaking process of restoring the steep St. Joseph terraces that...
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Leading off the reds, the 2023 Crozes-Hermitage Silene reveals a terrific bouquet of red and black fruits, gamy herbs, violets, and pepper. Medium-bodied, juicy, and nicely textured on the palate, it has solid minerality and a darker, earthy, granitic character that almost reminds me of a Saint Joseph. This rock-solid effort will drink nicely for 7-8 years.
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