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). Jean-Louis is fanatical about the farming in the vineyards, the preservation of the reputation of Hermitage and Saint Joseph, and the telling of their histories. Jean-Louis knows each parcel of the vineyards intimately and uses the grapes from each like instruments in an orchestra to bring about pure wine magic. 

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.

Shiverick Imports:

"The fruit for this wine comes mainly from the lieu-dit Maison Blanche, which sits atop the hill of Hermitage. The soil is iron-rich clay and loess and it is important to constantly maintain this vineyard, as the fine top layer of loess soil erodes easily. This terroir is very interesting for the white as it comes from a cooler soil and gives aromas of stone fruit and white flowers. Some additional fruit comes from l’Ermite and Peleàt. It is a white Hermitage that has the advantage of being approachable at a young age for drinking pleasure as well as having upwards of ten years of aging potential."