1997 Chave Hermitage Rouge

Had this Saturday night with a wonderful beef Wellington. Opened at the restaurant, brought the unfinished bottle home and had another glass that night and again the following night. This bottle just seemed tired and near dead. Very disappointing. Not much going on on the nose. Muted dark fruit on the palate, not much noticeable tannin and a somewhat acidic finish. No change later in the evening or the next day. In July of 2009 I took a bottle to our big wine event, L’Ete du Vin. Opened a bottle at home, corked! So opened a second bottle and took it to the dinner and followed the evolution over 4 or 5 hours. It was absolutely spectacular. All bottles bought at the same time and stored properly. Can’t believe this wine should be on decline, so hopefully just a bad bottle. 1 for 3 right now, wonder what the next one will show? [scratch.gif]

Anyone else had this lately?

I did start the night with a glass of Pappy Van Winkle 23 that was excellent and a 375 of Domaine Gressner Riesling Kastleberg Grand Cru 2005, Alsace, that was very nice, so we did have some decent libations with the excellent meal.

Had it less than a year ago and it was beautiful:

  • 1997 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage (5/5/2011)
    The 3 Cs of the Northern Rhone: simply stupendous. It was the nose of the night and the wine of the night, exhibitng layers of complex cherry, briarberry, loam, truffle and earthiness. It was delicate and finegrained but so explosive and evocative with waves of complexity on the nose. A stellar showing on a great drinking plateau. 94-95 (94 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Didn’t write notes any where, but opened one in early December and was red wine of the night (against 99 Ogier Belle Helene too, but really based on accessibility). The 95 Coche Meursault Rougets stole the show. Back to the Chave…

It was certainly a more medium-ish bodied Chave, but great texture, mouthfeel and acidity. Certainly a very good, bordering on great Chave showing no signs of letting up for at least 5 years.

I had a strong bottle recently I think you got a poor representation