95 -99 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2002

 Chave's 2000 Hermitage is a strong candidate for the wine of the vintage. The brutal crop thinning as well as selection process in the cellars has resulted in a wine that transcends the vintage's character. Most 2000 northern Rhones reveal flavor superficiality because of excessive yields, which caused a lack of depth as well as concentration (in spite of the fact that they are charming, ripe, and low in acidity). Chave's 2000 Hermitage is a tour de force. Tasting through the component parts is a lesson in the differences in Hermitage's terroirs. Moreover, the blend is always better than its individual parts. This profound Hermitage boasts a saturated blue/black/purple color as well as gorgeous aromas of liquid minerality intermixed with creme de cassis and graphite. It is full-bodied, with low acidity, high tannin, and sensational extract and length. This is a fabulous Hermitage that combines extraordinary power, flesh, and succulence with remarkable freshness and delineation. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040. When I arrived at 6:00 p.m., September 11, 2001, at Domaine Chave, I found Chave in tears and his family distraught. I had heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center, but not the subsequent collapse of both towers. Gerard Chave knows all about suicidal bombers, having served in the French military during the Algerian revolution. It took a long time to gather sufficient focus to do my tastings. However, the brilliant wines that unfolded in the cellars were, at least for several hours, a much needed antidote for pushing to the back of my mind the horror of 9-11-01. Importers: Langdon Shiverick, Cleveland OH; tel. (216) 861-6800 and Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

96 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2003

 Along with the single vineyard offerings from Michel Chapoutier, Chaveâ_Ts 2000 Hermitage is a candidate for this appellationâ_Ts â_owine of the vintage.â__ A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by sumptuous aromas of licorice, blackberries, currants, spice box, and earth. Deep, full-bodied, and rich, with moderately high tannin, it is atypical for the vintage given its structure and density (two characteristics most 2000 northern Rhones lack). It is a brilliant achievement in a challenging year. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035. This family-run estate continues to go from strength to strength, with the father and son (Gerard and Jean-Louis) team pushing all the right buttons to achieve success at all quality levels. Jean-Louis Chave is responsible for several negociant wines. Importers: Langdon Shiverick, Cleveland, OH; tel. (216) 861-6800 and Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

90 points,

Wine Spectator, December 2003

Beautiful, round, deep and lush wine. Rich, ripe, elegant, but packed with mineral, plum and other black fruit. Terrific sense of place and terroir. The fruit could be riper, but this is full-bodied and opulently smooth on the finish. Tempting now, but will improve with medium-term cellaring. Drink now through 2010. –PM

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