94-96pts Wine Advocate
Drink Date: 2034 – 2052
Aromas of cassis, mulberries, spices, dark olives and flowers mingled with a somewhat wild character introduce the 2022 Cote Rotie La Chavaroche, a full-bodied, deep and layered wine with a fleshy, dense core of fruit, supple tannins perfectly framed by bright acids and a sappy, resonant and saline finish. Known outside the USA as La Proline, it possesses a firm, slightly austere character wrapped in a singular, sappy texture that seamlessly blends density and charm. Founded in 1929 by Agns Levets grandfather, this estate remains one of the most understated and least-known gems in Cte-Rtie. There are 4.5 hectares of prime vineyards entirely within the commune of Ampuis, with plots in prestigious lieux-dits, such as Chavaroche, Leyrat, Fongeant, Lancement, Cote Brune, Cote Blonde, Landonne and Cote Rozier. The Levets are among a handful of growers who cultivate exclusively Petite Srine, an old selection of Syrah characterized by small, concentrated, ovoid berries and open clusters and sourced from massal selection. The estate prides itself on sustainable viticulture, eschewing the use of herbicides and pesticides. In the cellar, Agns employs whole-cluster fermentation in concrete tanks before aging the wine in barrels, 15% of which are new, from Vicard and Millet coopers. Since 2014, Agns Levet has poured her energy into crafting wines that are deep and concentrated yet retain elegance and distinct character, truly embodying their terroirs. While some might view her approach as somewhat old fashioned, its better described as a focused and bold vision of what Cte-Rtie wines ought to be.
Published: Feb 13, 2025

**** JLL (John Livingstone-Learmonth
Drink Date: 2029 – 2052
Fromcask: full, dark red; has a solid bouquet led by cooked raspberry, with brewed coffee, tar notes, has scale and a herbal side. The palate is rich on debut, broad and resounding, holds its full line into a large stewed fruits close, prune persistence, shows discreet iron notes late on, is big, firm wine. Its nature is accentuated by the drought conditions, meaning the tannins are pushy, a touch chewy its a bit masked by the vintage conditions. The 2021 shows the schist side more than the 2022, Agns Levet. I agree.October 2023

The Chavaroche is a single vineyard and is aged for thirty to thirty-six months prior to bottling. It is, quite simply, a ferocious wine, unique in its uninhibited expression of the smells and flavors of the appellation. No compromise is brooked here. The result is a wine that is controversial, too wild for many but, for us, one of the most elite wines in our personal pantheon. We import annually approximately 2,400 bottles (a mix of 750mls and magnums).