Mike D's Article: ‘96 Jean Louis Chave Hermitage

I had this 1996 Jean Louis Chave Hermitage in a half bottle. Strawberry on the nose. Drinks straight outta the half bottle, but changes fast with air. Fruit leather meets saddle leather. Wood, with a slight astringency. Gives more on the nose than the palate. Even though it’s Northern Rhone, the nose is weirdly Grenache, almost Rayas-like. With air, other notes awake; still seems very youthful. It was consumed pre-dinner at my friend Dave Sokolin’s NYC abode. This is good times. 92 points.