J.L. Chave Sélection Crozes-Hermitage Silène 2024

J.L. Chave Sélection’s 2024 Silène — a Crozes-Hermitage Syrah from Jean-Louis Chave’s négociant label, peppery, dark-fruited, structured.

Taste
Plum and dark berry fruit with black pepper, graphite, and warm spice. Firm structure keeps the ripe fruit in check, and the finish stays fresh.

Region
From Crozes-Hermitage in France’s northern Rhône, including hillside sites in Gervans. The Chave family has grown vines in the Rhône since 1481; Jean-Louis Chave started this négociant label in the mid-1990s.

About This Wine
Body: Medium to medium-plus body · Acidity: Fresh, moderate · Texture: Structured, medium-firm tannin

Taste Profile

Source: Vivino community taste data (45 member taste ratings, all vintages).

Best For
Steak and braise dinners, bistro-style weeknight tables, cold-weather cooking, a classic Rhône red to open young

For Who
Northern Rhône and Syrah fans, anyone curious about Jean-Louis Chave’s négociant range, pepper-and-dark-fruit red drinkers, dinner-party hosts

Similar To
If you like Alain Graillot, Domaine Combier, or Jaboulet’s Domaine de Thalabert, this is the same peppery, dark-fruited Crozes-Hermitage Syrah — structured rather than heavy.

Pairing
Braised beef short ribs, cassoulet, pepper-crusted steak, grilled lamb chops, duck breast, mushroom ragù, Korean BBQ (galbi)

Drink Window
Drink now with hearty food; a short decant helps a young Syrah.

Collector Note
J.L. Chave Sélection is Jean-Louis Chave’s négociant line. Silène blends Syrah from vines the family domaine planted in 2003 with purchased fruit, fermented with native yeasts and aged 15–18 months in oak. Vinous reports a wet, mildew-hit 2024 in the northern Rhône, with smaller yields and fresh, peppery reds. Buy 2–3 bottles for winter dinners.

Mood
Savory, peppery, classic, unfussy

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Silène a Domaine Jean-Louis Chave wine?
A: No. Silène is a Crozes-Hermitage from J.L. Chave Sélection, the négociant label Jean-Louis Chave runs alongside the family domaine. Part of the fruit comes from vines the domaine planted in 2003; the rest is purchased. The Domaine’s Hermitage is a separate wine.

Q: What grape is Silène made from?
A: Syrah. The grapes are fermented with native yeasts in wood and stainless steel at the Chave cellars, then aged 15–18 months in oak before bottling.

Q: Should I decant the 2024?
A: Yes, if you open it soon — a short decant helps a young Syrah. Pour it with hearty food; braised short ribs or cassoulet suit its structure.