A rather poised Hermitage with a pronounced nose of dark berries, raw cocoa, smoke, dried thyme, bark and baking spices. Medium to full body with fine, firm tannins. It’s serious and focused yet it has a velvety texture caressing the palate. Suave with controlled power. Long finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.

There is so much power and concentration in this Hermitage. Intense aromas of spiced cherries, thyme, earth, smoke, peppercorns, roasted meat, cloves and tobacco leaves. It’s full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. It’s solid and well-built with structure. It has a punchy character throughout with tannins framing and containing the intensity which develops through the long, funnelled and compact finish. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2028.

Hints of pastry crust and baked plums mark the nose of Yann Chave's 2019 Hermitage, supported by cedar and wood spice. Mainly from Les Beaumes, it matured in new demi-muids. Full-bodied and intense, with plenty of weight and richness, it's dense and packed with flavor, finishing long and velvety. While relatively approachable, expect it to close up in short order and then drink well again in 5-8 years.

From just over a hectare in the lieux-dits of les Beaumes and Péleat, Yann Chave's 2017 Hermitage is another successful wine. There's a slightly herbal element that stands out, bringing a pronounced currant note to the fruit, a mix of redcurrants and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, it's creamy, supple and long on the palate, with silky tannins marking the finish. Never the biggest, most powerful wine of the appellation, Yann Chave's Hermitage is still a fine, elegant example and of remarkably consistent quality in recent years.

A fine effort, Chave's 2016 Hermitage features hints of cedar, roasted meat, raspberry and cherry on the nose. A full-bodied wine with a creamy, supple mouthfeel and long finish, it shows notable freshness. Like many of the 2016s from the region, it's already approachable yet should live at least another 15 years.