94 Points Jeb Dunnuck

One of the finest wines I’ve tasted from Chave is her 2019 Saint Joseph, a pure, medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant Saint Joseph that does everything right. Giving up ample cassis and darker berry fruits as well as notes of violets, bacon fat, and damp stone, it has great tannins, terrific overall balance, and a great finish. It’s a brilliant bottle of wine to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2022-2037.

Daughter Natasha Chave struck out on her own and established Domaine Aleofane in 2004. She purchased some vines in Saint-Joseph and a plot of older vines in Crozes-Hermitage, bringing her entire holding up to between 6-7 hectares. She employs organic practices and biodynamic preparations to the vineyard work. Non-interventionist methods are the rule of thumb in the winery. Sulphur use is kept to absolute minimum, native yeasts are used for fermentation, and the wines are neither fined nor filtered before bottling. Her wines are a wonderful addition to the cannon of greats from the Northern Rhone. We’re happy to have a few bottles to sell.