The Chave family have been making wine in the Northern Rhone Valley since 1481. First in Saint Joseph, and then adding parcels of Hermitage - the appellation with which they are nearly synonymous. Jean-Louis Chave steers the domain, having taken over from his father the Gerard (one of just a few Chave men not named Jean-Louis in a very long line). JL Chave Selections is the negotiant project of the Chave family. Much of the wine though is from estate grapes and produced with the same methodology. These are not wines to be skipped, and provide excellent value.

From Shiverick Imports:

"The grapes come from 3 distinctive parts of the Hermitage hill. The majority of the blend comes from Diognières, which is at the base of the hill on alluvial soil with many small pebbles. It lends a note of spice to the wine. The next parcel is Péleat. It sits above Diognières and is composed of more sand and limestone in the clay. It gives finesse to the wine. And finally, Greffieux sits at the base of Le Méal on the hill. Its soil consists of rolled river stones brought by the glaciers. It brings structure to the finished wine. Farconnet was the name of a nobleman back in the time of Jean- Louis Chave’s great grandfather. He was actually the man from whom the great grandfather bought the Bessards parcel."

Jeb Dunnuck:

Brought up in used barrels, the 2021 Hermitage Farconnet reveals redcurrants, leather, flowers, and spice, with classic Hermitage minerality. Medium-bodied and nicely balanced on the palate, with fine tannins and solid depth, it shows the more mid-weight style of the vintage yet remains balanced and has solid depth and ripe tannins, all making for a classic, complete Hermitage with plenty to love. It will drink nicely for a decade or longer if well stored.