2013 Yann Chave, Crozes-Hermitage, Red Rhone Valley, France.
Yann Chave makes one of the best Syrahs for the price and his latest release the 2013 Crozes-Hermitage is a great example, it is simply delicious and succulent with pure northern Rhone character and with easy to love generosity. The 2013 is clear, precise and juicy in it’s young showing a dark purple/garnet hue, almost black at the core with elegant perfume, mineral tones and lively fruit layers. And as with every vintage, there is spice flowing throughout this superb 100% Syrah along with hints of game, tar and wild herbs supporting the pretty plum, blueberry, boysenberry and currant fruits. The wine opens to reveal liqueur, salted licorice, cayenne and lots of peppercorns as well as violets, incense, cedar and mixed olives. The palate feels refined with smooth tannins, medium weighted with about 13% alcohol, and there is lifting acidity to add life and focus, it finishes fresh with a chalky dusty stony note and lingering black fruits, drink from 2015 to 2018, very nice and enjoyable now, especially with food, I adored it with wild mushroom ravioli, but it would be lovely with BBQ, lamb, Korean spicy pork and or most any meat dish. I highly recommend this tasty and entertaining Syrah from Yann Chave, it is ripe, juicy and poised, enjoy.
($30 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
