The 1985 Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge is a testament to the longevity and complexity of Northern Rhône Syrah, with many bottles still showing remarkable vitality decades on. While 1985 was a challenging year for Chave personally, it yielded a red Hermitage that avoided the over-supple style of some contemporaries, instead offering a wine of deep ruby color with slight lightening at the edge. Expect an intense fragrance of smoked meat, cassis, and Provençal olives, leading to a rich, full-bodied, and velvety-textured palate that is now at full maturity. Some tasters note tar, leather, hints of blood, and both black and red fruit, with an elegant and long finish. Others find notes of baked cherries, incense, smoke, wet earth, garrigue, and spearmint, with a soft, supple texture and flavors of strawberry, tart cherries, iron, tapenade, and red plums. 【Chave produced the best red Hermitage of this vintage.】 Serving an older vintage like this 1985 requires a gentle touch. Be mindful of the cork, which can become fragile over time, and the capsule. Decanting for 1-3 hours is often recommended to allow the wine to soften and open its perfume, though very old vintages might need less, just enough to remove sediment. Serve at around 15.5 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit) to allow its freshness and lift to shine. 🍴 Food Pairing: This mature Hermitage pairs beautifully with classic meat dishes such as veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, and game, whether roasted, braised, barbecued, or grilled. It also complements smoked meats, hearty fish like tuna, mushrooms, cheese, and pasta. 🥂 Event Suggestion: This is a wine for contemplation and celebration, perfect for a special anniversary dinner, a sophisticated gathering of wine connoisseurs, or a quiet evening by the fireplace. Its complexity and evolution make it a conversation starter and a memorable experience.