14th-generation winemaker Jean-Louis Chave is an icon of the Northern Rhone. His wines are instant classics, from the storied red and white cuvees of Hermitage to bottlings from the original part of Saint-Joseph. His Hermitage is built around the lieu dit of Bessards, and while the blend of holdings varies each vintage the core is always Bessards. Despite a host of challenges this year, 2016 resulted in high-quality wines, just in lower quantity. Slightly lower alcohol levels than 2015 are more classic Rhone of the 80s and 90s. This wine was sourced from a library release of the importer's cellar.