1989 Bernard Chave Hermitage

Bernie Chave makes very polarizing wines. If you like stems, pesticide and grapefruit notes in your young syrahs, then he’s the guy for you. I happen to like them quite a bit. Needless to say, I was surprised when none of those things were present in this bottle. Mature syrah fruit with that marvelous floral quality and plenty of poop flowed from the glass. Medium bodied in the mouth, if the wine has a weakness, it is in the short finish. If you own it, drink it.

JD (3/99)