Chave's 2018 Hermitage is another in a long list of legends to emerge from this meticulously run estate. Showing remarkably complex aromas of pressed violets, ground cloves and cracked peppercorns against a backdrop of cassis, blueberries and licorice, it's a super effort. Full-bodied, concentrated, rich and velvety in feel, it's seamless and long—just the complete package in a wine that's surprisingly approachable, yet should prove capable of aging effortlessly for two decades or more.

Lastly, the 2018 Hermitage is still resting in its individual components, and it’s such an education tasting through the samples from Bessards, Péléat, Méal, and Beaumes. In some years, each terroir is easy to see (the spice and complexity from Péléat, the opulence from the Méal, etc.), yet in 2018, the Méal was more structured and inward and the l’Ermite was shockingly opulent and powerful. The crème de la crème was the sample from Les Bessards, and wine doesn’t get any better than that in my opinion. Regardless, all the samples possess incredible quality and show classic, powerful aromatics reminiscent of a classic, almost cooler year paired with massive richness, depth, and structure on the palate. Possibly coming closest in my mind to a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, this is a legendary Chave Hermitage in the making.

Tasted in components. #1, from Peleat: suave and highly perfumed, with distinct red fruit preserve and floral character. Smooth, seamless and almost Pinot-like in its vibrant and weightless character. Extremely well-hidden tannins come in late. #2, from Les Beaume; #3, from Ermite, #4, from Meal, #5, from Bessards.

Rich and silky, but showing no heaviness, with a touch of lemon verbena on the nose. The alcohol is high yet not unbalanced, with an inner mineral freshness leading to a rich, long and generous butterscotch finish. A big vintage for Chave's white Hermitage, though not outrageously opulent.

Gorgeously pure, with plum coulis, cassis, cherry purée and blackberry preserve flavors that are finely detailed and interwoven with singed anise, sweet tobacco and warm earth accents, then gilded with a subtle alder note through the finish. Long, very fine-grained and extremely precise. Best from 2024 through 2040. 1,750 cases made, 250 cases imported. — JM

A tasting of five lieux-dits points to a ripe, rich, dark-fruited vintage with high but not unbalanced alcohol. This is opulent with liqueur fruits and deep concentration. It's very ripe, but shows no raisined or jammy character, and has remarkably freshness considering its opulence. 2018 is all about ripeness, says Jean-Louis Chave. Picking the fruit promptly was important; ‘We had to pick on a Sunday - and we've never picked on a Sunday before.’ He reduced the maceration time this year and avoided punching down completely to avoid over-extraction. Drinking Window 2026 - 2042
Tasted by Matt Walls (at 2018 En primeur tastings, Rhône Valley, 01 Oct 2019)
Part of Northern Rhône 2018 report: The top scorers

Joint favourite in a comparative tasting of five 2018 Syrahs. Tasted blind. Extremely youthful – smells almost like a young, very concentrated Cabernet! Then glossy, glamorous, satin-textured fruit on the palate. Much more open than it smells. Impressively persistent. (JR)