Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 15 to 50 years from vintage.
vintage15 yrs50 yrs52 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryExtraordinary, Minerals And Dried Flowers That Persist For Minutes finish

Aroma: extraordinary concentration of dark fruit, iron mineral, dried violets, smoked meat, granite

Palate: massively concentrated, flawless mineral structure, epic tannins of great refinement, near-immortal length

The rarest wine in the Northern Rhone. Cuvee Cathelin is made only in exceptional vintages from a single lieu-dit selection on the Hermitage hill. Named for the painter Jean Cathelin who collaborated with the domaine.

What it pairs with

  • A perfect roast rack of lamb with 30 years of age on the wine
    Mature Hermitage and roast lamb is the canonical Rhone pairing.
  • Truffle-studded whole roast pigeon
    Luxury game and truffle can approach the complexity of this extraordinary wine.

How to serve Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. A perfect roast rack of lamb with 30 years of age on the wine, Truffle-studded whole roast pigeon. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Cuvee Cathelin was first produced in 1990 from a single selection of the finest barrels of Hermitage, named for the painter Jean Cathelin who created the domaine's label artwork. It is made only in extraordinary vintages: 1990, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015.

  1. 1990: First vintage of Cuvee Cathelin from the finest barrels of Hermitage
  2. 1998: Second Cathelin produced; establishes the rarity and selectivity of the cuvee

Facts

Producer
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave · visiting guide
Grapes
Syrah (100%)
Classification
Hermitage AOC
Oak
18-24 months in old French oak foudres
ABV
14.0%
Price
EUR 2000-5000 at auction
Drinking window
15-50 from vintage
First vintage
1990
Biodynamic
Biodynamic Practicing
Organic
ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin

What does Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin taste like?

On the nose, extraordinary concentration of dark fruit, iron mineral, dried violets, smoked meat, granite. On the palate, massively concentrated, flawless mineral structure, epic tannins of great refinement, near-immortal length. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a extraordinary, minerals and dried flowers that persist for minutes finish. The rarest wine in the Northern Rhone. Cuvee Cathelin is made only in exceptional vintages from a single lieu-dit selection on the Hermitage hill. Named for the painter Jean Cathelin who collaborated with the domaine.

When should I drink Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin?

Drink 15-50 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin?

A perfect roast rack of lamb with 30 years of age on the wine is the canonical pairing; Truffle-studded whole roast pigeon is the other strong match. Mature Hermitage and roast lamb is the canonical Rhone pairing.

What grapes are in Hermitage Cuvee Cathelin?

The blend is Syrah (100%). The wine is classified as Hermitage AOC.

Tags

biodynamic cellar worthy cult wine dry firm tannin full body grand cru high acid iconic mood contemplative occasion cellar occasion gift occasion special old vines old world organic pairs with game pairs with red meat pairs with truffles price collector single vineyard still red syrah

Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Rhone Valley

Romans and Wine

Guided tour5 hours4.7 from 7 reviewsfrom €105

Discover two of the best preserved Roman monuments in the world: The Roman Theatre of Orange and the Aqueduct of the Pont du Gard (UNESCO Sites) and enjoy a wine tasti...

Check dates and book

See all 620 bookable experiences in Rhone Valley

← Back to wines in Rhone Valley