2014 Crozes Hermitage Aleofane, Natacha Chave

"The two 2014s are also rock solid in the vintage and have forward, charming profiles. Notes of raspberry, candied lavender, subtle mint and basil all emerge from the 2014 Crozes Hermitage. This medium-bodied, juicy, enjoyable effort has good acidity and a clean finish. It's best enjoyed over the coming 4-5 years.  Drink 2016-2021.

I continue to love the wines from Natacha Chave. Looking at her reds, there are two cuvées: a classic Crozes Hermitage from the lieux-dits of Les Pichères, les Chasselières (Beaumont-Monteux), les Hauts-Chassis (La Roche de Glun) and Bellevue (Mercurol), aged all in demi-muids (15% new); and a St Joseph from vines around the village of Tournon and aged in older demi-muids and smaller barrels. She makes a perfumed, slightly wild and certainly exotic style of wine that’s loaded with character. In addition, her Crozes Hermitage can age for a decade or more.

Based out of Crozes Hermitage, Natacha Chave farms just over five hectares in Crozes Hermitage and a small parcel in Saint Joseph. She makes a single red and white Crozes Hermitage and one Saint Joseph. The quality from this estate continues to increase in recent vintages and these wines remain under the radar and more than reasonably priced, given the quality."  Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate, Dec 2016