2020 Domaine Jean Louis Chave Saint Joseph

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave represents one of the longest examples of vinous lineage in the world, with the family making wines in the area since 1481. Now under the guidance of Gerard Chave and his son Jean-Louis, the pair draws on five centuries of expertise to craft each of their wines. While known for the enviable collection of prime plots on the hill of Hermitage, their other main skill is in precise blending each year to best express the region and vintage. The backbone of their red Hermitage is sourced from the steep, granite slope of the Les Bessards cru, and is essential for making the finest red each year. Likewise, the base for Chave’s heroic Hermitage Blanc is the plot of century-old Marsanne vines in their Péléat monopole, which provides rich and intense fruit without heaviness.

Other Reviews....
The rating and review of the 2020 Saint Joseph is a composite based on tasting several lots—Chalaix, Dardouilles and Bechasson—from barrel. With aromas that range from violets to rose petals, garrigue and licorice, plus fruit notes from raspberries to blueberries and cassis, it should prove remarkably complex, backed by ample concentration and ripe, silky tannins. Drink 2023 - 2035.
94-96 points
Joe Czerwinski - Wine Advocate (Jan 21, 2022)

As with the 2020 L'Hermitage, I tasted this wine in its components, shortly before blending and bottling. This vintage is highly successful at Chave, and this wine, which would qualify as the gateway bottling made from estate fruit, looks to be outstanding, with juicy, spice-laced red and blue fruit character of noteworthy freshness, plus strong florality and mineral drive. I was also struck by the fineness of the tannins, which will likely make the final wine deceptively approachable on release. Don't be fooled - this wine has a long and enviable track record for rewarding patience.
96-97 points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous

Bottled in August of 2022, the 2020 Saint Joseph is a beauty and is showing nicely. Classic Saint Joseph darker fruits, peppery herbs, damp earth, and spice, as well as a hint of tapenade, all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a concentrated mid-palate, and outstanding length. It's impeccably made and will evolve for 10-15 years.
93+ points
Jeb Dunnuck

All the lieux-dits I tasted that make up this domaine's Saint-Joseph were showing well and expressed their typical characters, this promising to be a precise style with clear, complex aromatics. It's possible that the rose-scented lieu-dit Bachesson component might be bottled separately this year - in which case you should buy it without hesitation. Drink 2025 - 2030.
94 points
Matt Walls - Decanter