Tasting through Chave's 2017s has left me astonished by the wines.

They are easily some of the best wines produced in the vintage.

Often, the 2017 northern Rhônes have the plush textures and somewhat loose structures of what you'd expect from a warm vintage. There are plenty of growers who turned out very good wines in the vintage. Still, Chave's collection stands out.

Chave's 2017s beautifully tamed the ripeness of the vintage and wove it into a graceful and rigorous package. The wines have incredible energy, great detail, and are framed by beautifully integrated tannic structures.

As always, Chave's 2017 Saint-Joseph is where the value lies. The Saint-Joseph is built to age beautifully. A bottle from 1995 opened a couple of years ago blew us away. Chave has a magic touch with rendering Syrah of depth, detail, and sophistication. You see this every bit as much in the Saint-Joseph as you do with the Hermitage.

The 2017 Saint-Joseph possesses incredible finesse, precision, and depth of complexity. There are bold and velvety red fruits, but also lots of savory nuance and mineral underpinnings. Overall, the wine comes off as beautifully poised and clear.

The Chave family has deep roots in Saint-Joseph, dating all the way back to 1481. In his fascinating I’ll Drink to That! interview, Jean-Louis describes the domaine’s history in Saint-Joseph, and his vision to restore his family’s holdings to their former glory.

Jean-Louis has been a major proponent of Saint-Joseph’s potential, buying choice parcels and painstakingly rebuilding terraces there since the 1990s. Today, the Chave's family home is in Mauves, in the beating heart of Saint-Joseph.

Chave's Saint-Joseph is a wine that I buy in quantity and cellar every vintage. Chave's Saint-Joseph with age is impressive and delicious. I strongly advise you to grab at least a few bottles. It's a wine that you'll want around in quantity.

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Ian McFadden

Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits

2017 Chave Saint-Joseph

Special Bottle Price: $75.95

Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media: "Inky ruby. An expansive bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, candied flowers and smoky bacon, along with suggestions of olive and pipe tobacco. Densely packed, spice-accented blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors show fine delineation and energetic lift thanks to a core of juicy acidity. A mineral nuance arrives with air and carries through a long, velvety finish framed by round, well-knit tannins."