You may not have heard of this domaine before, but it won’t be a secret much longer. Chave is making superb wines. – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Yann, in his late 30s, has taken over from his father, Bernard Chave, and in 2001 the name of the Domaine became Yann Chave. It consists of 14.77 hectares (35.4 acres) of Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, 1.20 hectares (2.8 acres) of Hermitage, and 0.76 hectares (1.8 acres) of Crozes-Hermitage Blanc.

The Crozes-Hermitage “Classique” is a selection of vines all situated in the sector “Chassis,” ranging from 18 to 40 years old. Elevage is 20% in two-year demi-muids and 80% in tank with micro-oxygenation. The “Le Rouvre” is a single parcel in Chassis, his best parcel of Crozes, lying on “caillouteux” (large rounded stones) and the vines average 50 years-old. It is pure “vin de goutte” and is aged entirely in one- and two-year old demi-muids. The Hermitage is from two parcels, one in Baumes (next to Le Méal) and the other in “Péléat,” with vines averaging 25 years of age. The wine is aged in 100% new demi-muids.

Pumping over is done twice a day, but Yann does very little punching down (pigeage) – only two times altogether during the three weeks of vinification. He works hard in the vineyards – low yields, harvesting later at optimum phenolic maturity, natural viticulture, indigenous yeasts and no filtering – if you like loads of Syrah fruit and lots of texture on the palate, these are wines for you.

Through February 5th, 2010, all Yann Chave wines will be discounted 25% off their regular retail price for single bottles. No other discounts may apply. Please join us on Saturday, February 5th, from 12pm until 4pm to sample these classic expressions of Northern Rhone Syrahs and more! The Lineup:

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2008, List Price $27.99, Sale $20.99 – Rhone, France – 70% Marsanne, 30% Roussane – 13% abv – Sustainable - Vineyard composition is of argilo-limestone. All vine treatments are organic, and only indigenous yeast is employed in the long, slow fermentation, the temperature of which is controlled for that purpose, and to preserve the maximum varietal character and richness. Elevage is 100% in tank, also in order to preserve the clarity of the varietal character. An elegant white wine from fully-mature fruit, characterized by complex and powerful notes of stone-fruits; the mouth-feel is structured, fatty and full. Chave recommends this wine as an excellent aperitif, or to be served with fresh water fish in a sauce.

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Classique 2007, List Price $27.99, Sale $20.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - Bright and open, with tasty black cherry, currant and aged tobacco notes. Fresh finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre 2008, List Price $35.99, Sale $26.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - This lightly firm red offers a core of crushed plum and blueberry fruit laced with cocoa powder and tobacco notes. The long finish is carried by fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Nicely ripe for the vintage. Drink now through 2011. 100 cases imported. – Rated 90 points, Wine Spectator

Yann Chave Hermitage 2005, List Price $109.99, Sale $82.49 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Packed with black currant, fig and black cherry fruit, this is also very refined, with incense, graphite, mineral and spice notes helping to extend the long, silky finish. Has power and grace and should age beautifully. Best from 2008 through 2022. 540 cases made. – Rated 93 points, Wine Spectator; 92 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar; 90 points, The Wine Advocate

Yann Chave Hermitage 2006, Regular Price $79.99, Sale Price $59.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Really inviting, with crushed currant and blackberry fruit mingling with cassis bush, iron and mineral notes. Has a supple, lingering, violet-tinged finish. Silky. Drink now through 2020. 50 cases imported. – Rated 93 points, Wine Spectator; 92 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar; 90 points, The Wine Advocate

A grape born and bred in the northern Rhone region of France (the offspring of two nearly extinct local grapes: Dureza from the Ardèche, and Mondeuse Blanche) Syrah is both bottled as a varietal wine, such as in the famous Cote Rotie and Hermitage, and blended in with other varietals as in such famous wines as Chateauneuf du Pape, and many other wines throughout France’s Mediterranean region.

Please join us this Saturday, October 9th, from 12PM to 4PM for a tasting of Syrah in which we will explore it’s pure form, with six wines from the northern Rhone, southern Rhone and the Languedoc. The Lineup:

Jean Michel Gerin Syrah Collines Rhodaniennes 2007, List Price $19.99, Sale Price $16.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - This displays incense, crushed cherry, violet and mineral notes to glide through the iron-tinged finish. Drink now. 1,415 cases made. – Rated 88 Points, Wine Spectator

Domaine La Bastide Syrah Les Genets Vieilles Vignes Vin de Pays d’Hauterive 2008, List Price $12.99, Sale Price $10.99 – Corbieres, Languedoc, France – 100% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - From vines averaging 30 years old planted in soil composed of clay and fine gravel. The color is a dark, saturated red, with violet highlights. The nose is of intense red fruits, spices and smoke. Supple, and silky textured with very ripe tannins and a long finish.

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre 2008, List Price $35.99, Sale Price $29.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - The cuvée “Le Rouvre” is from a parcel of terroir in “Les Chassis” situated at the Pont de l’Isère. Here you’ll find our oldest vines (of more than 40 years) with a soil containing lots of big rounded rocks called “galets roulés”. There is no press juice used for Le Rouvre (the press juice is saved for Chave’s Crozes Hermitage Classique), only the vin de goutte, which is then aged in one-wine or two-wine-Hermitage 600 liter demi-muids. The finished wine displays pungent notes of cassis, and shows superlative balance between fruit and tannin.

Domaine de Ferrand La Ferrande Côtes du Rhône 2006, List Price $19.99, Sale Price $16.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 14% abv – Sustainable - As remarkable as 2007 is, there are 2006s that should not be forgotten. Domaine Ferrand (an excellent producer of Chateauneuf du Pape) has turned out a 100% Syrah cuvee, the 2006 Cotes du Rhone La Ferrande. Its opaque ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of pepper, blackberries, licorice, incense, and earth. Dense and rich with surprising complexity and character for a southern Syrah, it should drink nicely for 2-3 years. – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

Chateau Mourgues du Gres Les Capitelles 2008, List Price $22.99, Sale Price $19.49 -  Costieres de Nimes, Languedoc, France – 85% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 5% Grenache – 14.5% abv – Sustainable - The outstanding, dark ruby/purple-tinged 2008 Capitelles du Mourgues is a blend of 85% Syrah and the rest Carignan and Grenache. It offers up abundant aromas of blackberries, licorice, camphor, and forest floor as well as a lush, dense, chewy style. The richest of these reds, it is capable of lasting for 3-4 years. – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Le Cros Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007, List Price $25.99, Sale Price $21.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 14.5% abv – Biodynamic - The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Les Cros reveals complex notes of creme de cassis, road tar, gamey meat, licorice, and flowers. In the mouth, the wine is pure fruit, with loads of glycerin, sweet tannin, and adequate acidity. While not a classic example of Provence, it is a very successful, mono-cepage offering. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years. – Rated 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

You may not have heard of this domaine before, but it won’t be a secret much longer. Chave is making superb wines. – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Yann, in his late 30s, has taken over from his father, Bernard Chave, and in 2001 the name of the Domaine became Yann Chave. It consists of 14.77 hectares (35.4 acres) of Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, 1.20 hectares (2.8 acres) of Hermitage, and 0.76 hectares (1.8 acres) of Crozes-Hermitage Blanc.

Chave HermiageThe Crozes-Hermiage “Classique” is a selection of vines all situated in the secteur “Chassis,” ranging from 18 to 40 years old. Elevage is 20% in two-year demi-muids and 80% in tank with micro-oxygenation. The “Le Rouvre” is a single parcel in Chassis, his best parcel of Crozes, lying on “caillouteux” (large rounded stones) and the vines average 50 years-old. It is pure “vin de goutte” and is aged entirely in one- and two-year old demi-muids. The Hermitage is from two parcels, one in Baumes (next to Le Méal) and the other in “Péléat,” with vines averaging 25 years of age. The wine is aged in 100% new demi-muids.

Pumping over is done twice a day but Yann does very little punching down (pigeage)- only two times altogether during the 3 weeks of vinification. He works hard in the vineyards – low yields, harvesting later at optimum phenolic maturity, natural viticulture, indigenous yeasts and no filtering – if you like loads of Syrah fruit and lots of texture on the palate, these are wines for you.

Through June 19, 2010, all Yann Chave wines will be discounted 25% off their regular retail price for single bottles (no further discount by the case). In addition, we are extending the special pricing across the range of our northern Rhone wines. SALE ENDS 8PM JUNE 19, 2010. The Lineup:

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Classique 2007, Regular Price $27.99, Sale Price $20.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13% abv – Sustainable - Bright and open, with tasty black cherry, currant and aged tobacco notes. Fresh finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made. - Rated 88 Points, Wine Spectator

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre 2007, Regular Price $35.99, Sale Price $26.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Dark and winey, with crushed currant, fig and boysenberry fruit laid over a strong graphite note. Additional tobacco, plum sauce and coffee notes fill in the briary finish. Best from 2010 through 2013. 2,080 cases made. – Rated 91 Points, Wine Spectator

Yann Chave Hermitage 2005, Regular Price $109.99, Sale Price $82.49 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Packed with black currant, fig and black cherry fruit, this is also very refined, with incense, graphite, mineral and spice notes helping to extend the long, silky finish. Has power and grace and should age beautifully. Best from 2008 through 2022. 540 cases made. – Rated 93 Points, Wine Spectator

Yann Chave Hermitage 2006, Regular Price $79.99, Sale Price $59.99 – Rhone, France – 100% Syrah – 13.5% abv – Sustainable - Really inviting, with crushed currant and blackberry fruit mingling with cassis bush, iron and mineral notes. Has a supple, lingering, violet-tinged finish. Silky. Drink now through 2020. 50 cases imported. – Rated 93 Points, Wine Spectator