One of the candidates for the Rhone Valley’s “wine of the vintage” is Chave’s 2002 Hermitage. A draconian selection has resulted in a deep ruby/purple-colored offering revealing sweet notes of melted licorice, briery berries, earth, and herbs. Medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant, and intense, this forward-styled Hermitage appears to be better than the 1992, 1993, and 1994, which are all fine wines that are holding up well. The 2002 should be at its peak between 2005-2015. What Chave accomplished in the extremely challenging 2002 vintage is unquestionably noteworthy. Not because of tiny yields and small grapes, but due to Chave’s decision to eliminate every grape except the very best, 2002 is a small crop. Importers: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524 and Langdon Shiverick, Cleveland, OH; tel. (216) 861-6800. Note: Importers are in the process of changing.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 27/12/2004 One of the candidates for the Rhone Valley’s “wine of the vintage” is Chave’s 2002 Hermitage. A draconian selection has resulted in a deep ruby/purple-colored offering revealing sweet notes of melted licorice, briery berries, earth, and herbs. Medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant, and intense, this forward-styled Hermitage appears to be better than the 1992, 1993, and 1994, which are all fine wines that are holding up well. The 2002 should be at its peak between 2005-2015. What Chave accomplished in the extremely challenging 2002 vintage is unquestionably noteworthy. Not because of tiny yields and small grapes, but due to Chave’s decision to eliminate every grape except the very best, 2002 is a small crop. are in the process of changing. Along with some of the luxury cuvees from Chapoutier, this is by far one of the leading candidates for the wine of the vintage in the north. Over half the crop was eliminated, and the result is a wine with loads of licorice, cassis and dense ruby/purple colour, very forward by Chave standards, but ideal for drinking over the next 10 years. The wine has good earthy smokiness that permeates the concentrated black currant and heady flavours. Anticipated maturity: now-2016. (93)

(tasted from a stainless steel tank, where it was awaiting bottling) Medium ruby. Black cherry, licorice, pepper and tar on the nose. Very dry but classy and aromatic, with currant fruit complicated by licorice, pepper, leather and fresh herbs. Rather bracing for a young Chave wine, and difficult to taste after the 2003, but the wine's aromatic persistence suggests it will reward aging. Late notes of pepper and gunflint.