Hermitage La Chapelle 2017

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

Hermitage La Chapelle
2017

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Vegan
Country
France
Regulated designation
Appellation origine controlée (AOC)
Region
Rhône Valley
Varietal(s)
Syrah
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

See the Paul Jaboulet Aîné detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

La Chapelle is the result of a blend of the great terroirs of the west of the Hermitage. The structure of the Roucoules, the fleshy coating of the Méal and the Greffieux, are complemented by the tight weave of the Bessards, and Varogne brings freshness. Very old Syrah vines on stakes, 40 to 95 years old.

Production notes

Manual harvest with sorting on the plot, in small crates. Vatting for about 4 weeks with gentle extractions. Aging in French oak barrels, 20% of which is new wood.

Tasting notes

Concentrated red wine with floral aromas of violet, candied notes of cassis and mineral touches of crushed stone. In the mouth, it is rich, intense and powerful. A full-bodied wine without being heavy. With tasty and marked tannins, it reveals a delicious flavor of black fruits accompanied by notes of licorice. Pairings with game and grilled red meats.

Press reviews

Vinous

- 96 points -

Josh Raynolds, April 2020 (Vintage 2018)

Opaque ruby. Displays powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit preserves, licorice, cola, baking spices and potpourri, along with an exotic suggestion of incense. Utterly stains the palate with intense blackberry, cherry, cassis, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that deliver a suave blend of weight and energy. Youthfully solid tannins add shape and grip to an extremely long, mineral- and floral-accented finish that shows outstanding clarity and dark fruit thrust.

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James Suckling

- 96 points -

James Suckling, August 2020 (Vintage 2018)

Seems a little shy at the moment, but you can tell that this has serious poise and pedigree with subtle clove, crushed-brick, iron, black-cherry and plum-skin character. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight and reserved with super refined tannins that are so fine-textured, yet intense. Give this three or four years to show its true self. From organically grown grapes. Better after 2023.

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Wine Advocate

-98+ Points-

Joe Czerwinski, May 2021 (Vintage 2018)

The beautifully proportioned 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle comes across as a complex, complete version of this renowned bottling, with no rough edges—just moderate spice, cassis, red berries and cedar on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, silky and fine, brimming with harmony and elegance on the palate, while the finish is long, echoing with cassis, charcoal and crushed stone. The tannins firm up a bit on the finish, so I suspect this will close down soon, then blossom sometime after 2025.

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