As virtually all of the various components of Chave's 2018 Hermitage were still separate, I've given a rating that reflects the variability I saw when tasting through the barrels and made a guess regarding Jean-Louis's blending sensibilities and available volumes. For example, the Peleat (92 - 94), a pretty, red-fruited element could add freshness but is likely to be a small portion of the blend (if it's even included). More impressive were the lush, mouthfilling Les Beaumes (95 -97) and stony, elegant Le Meal (94 - 96). Lots from L'Ermite (98 - 100) and Les Bessards (98 - 100) will likely make up the bulk of the blend, oozing with liquid stone, intense blueberry and cassis fruit, and possessing firm yet ripe structures.

Lastly, the 2018 Hermitage is still resting in its individual components, and it's such an education tasting through the samples from Bessards, Peleat, Meal, and Beaumes. In some years, each terroir is easy to see (the spice and complexity from Peleat, the opulence from the Meal, etc.), yet in 2018, the Meal was more structured and inward and the l'Ermite was shockingly opulent and powerful. The creme de la creme was the sample from Les Bessards, and wine doesn't get any better than that in my opinion. Regardless, all the samples possess incredible quality and show classic, powerful aromatics reminiscent of a classic, almost cooler year paired with massive richness, depth, and structure on the palate. Possibly coming closest in my mind to a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, this is a legendary Chave Hermitage in the making.