93/100 PP
"Lastly, the inky colored 2012 Hermitage competes with the 2009 and 2010 (and frankly, tastes like a hypothetical blend of the two) in terms of quality. Possessing terrific notes of crème de cassis, vanilla bean, toasted spice and classic Hermitage powdered-rock-like minerality, it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated and textured, with building tannin and vibrant acidity that emerges on the finish. It shows textbook Hermitage character and will drink nicely for 10-15 years."
(Jeb Dunnuck, robertparker.com)
"The adventure all began with Yann’s parents. They decided to settle in the area, on a four-hectare site, at the beginning of the 70s: one hectare of vineyards, and the rest, fruit orchards. They continued to extend the estate while maintaining the dual crop system, so common at the time. Their first harvests were sold to local merchants, and from 1973 onwards, they began to make their own wine before joining the Tain Cooperative Winery until 1978. The following year, Nicole and Bernard Chave created their own private winery.
In 1996, Yann was 26 years old. With a postgraduate diploma in Auditing and Management Control, and free of military service obligations, he decided to work on the wine-growing part of the estate. With tender attachment to his vineyard, he restructured the vines and began to work on the soil. After being victim of poisoning by an insecticide he was using to treat the vines, he began seeking alternative solutions, engaging with organic agriculture at the dawn of the year 2000. The estate was certified in 2007. Today, located at the heart of Crozes-Hermitage appellation, the estate extends to 20 hectares, with 1.2 hectares on the mythical Hermitage hillside."
(Yann Chave)