P. Jaboulet Aine - Hermitage la Chapelle 1995-2015
Tasted Sunday, September 13, 2015 by Collector1855 with 1,219 views
Introduction
I combined a few recent tastings of these wines to a story to form a view on this Cru especially amid the recent purchase and improvements of the Frey family.
In short, this famous Rhone Classic produces quite a rich, warm and sunny wine, less peppery and structured than some of its peers. For me, especially some of the older vintages had too much of a Barossa profile. Jean-Louis Chave remains the benchmark for me in Northern Rhone. 2010 is, no surprise, the best vintage.
2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 96 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
During a merchant tasting. Dark purple. Expressive nose of dark fruit, oak, vanilla, cake, blueberry, on the ripe side. Opulent, soft palate, structure is there. Very modern vinification here. A complete wine in the quality range of the 2012 but not up there with the 2010, at least from this first snapshot.
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2012 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 96 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
One of the the classic names of Hermitage (next to Chave and Chapoutier) which had a quality struggle for a good 15 years until it was bought up by the Frey family in 2006 (Champagne Bilcart Salmon, Chateau La Lagune). Tasting note: PnP, dark purple, wow, this 2012 really rocks. Distinctive Rhone North nose with black pepper, smoke, bbq meat, oak and very ripe dark fruit, deep and complex. On the palate the tannins are present but very soft. No doubt that they found the optimal point of concentration, freshness, structure and fruit in this vintage. Powerful but not heavy, really a great success - a bit lighter and not far off from the 2010. The later will be a monument, (an iconic vintage in Europe, be it CdP, Rhone North, Barolo, Brunello, Bordeaux) even more compact and precise meriting 2-3 points more. However, the smart money goes to the 2012, an unpretentious, cheaper vintage. Kudos to the Frey family for saving this estate from the abyss. Btw, the tannins are so soft you can actually try a bottle now to satisfy your curiosity. 96+
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2010 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 97 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
One of the the classic names of Hermitage (next to Chave and Chapoutier) which had a quality struggle for a good 15 years until it was bought up by the Frey family in 2006 (Champagne Bilcart Salmon, Chateau La Lagune). Tasting note: Very dark purple, polished and shiny. Expressive nose of lots of blue and dark fruit with licorice, mint, flowers, spices, some very slight black pepper hinting towards Northern Rhone. Impressive entry on the palate with spades of ripe fruit, sweetness and density, could be Barossa from the density but not from the aromatics and freshness which are clearly Rhone. Very tightly woven, silky tannins. A most impressive young Syrah combining excellent fruit, freshness, structure and aromatics. Despite being drinkable now due to the silkiness of the tannins, better not to open this not before 2020.
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2009 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 94 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
One of the the classic names of Hermitage (next to Chave and Chapoutier) which had a quality struggle for a good 15 years until it was bought up by the Frey family in 2006 (Champagne Bilcart Salmon, Chateau La Lagune). Medium Ruby, surprisingly reddish color for a young Syrah. Nose of red fruit, some spices and oak. Enters the palate medium bodied with noticeable alcoholic heat and a roasted aroma profile, nothing oxidative though, the freshness is there. Not so much aromatic intensity and a bit short and hot on the finish, although it got better with time in the glass. While the 2010 and 2012 displayed spades of dark fruit and lots of complexity this almost comes across as a Trempranillo at first - nice to drink but more? Good, but not in the quality league of the 2010 and the 2012.
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2007 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 95 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
During a merchant vertical tasting. The first wine of this series who had a lot more blue fruit intermixed with the hot, red cherry compote notes. I like this cooler element clearly. Good structure too. Lovely, modern style Rhone that will do well with a broad group of tasters for sure. Ready now.
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2006 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 95 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Medium garnet, brownish rim. Again here, just line in the 95, 98, 99 a rather warm aroma profile with torrefaction, rum pot, cherry, sweet spices. The palate is pleasant, medium bodied, not a blockbuster, rather pleasant. Medium complexity and finish (94pt). Drink up. Drank it from Magnum a few months later and the wine was much fresher with more energy. 95 pts for that wine
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2001 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 95 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Medium garnet with brick hue. Expressive nose of red fruit, red current with lots of pepper, spices and earth, nice and complex mature aromas. On the palate this is medium bodied "only", very elegant, the opposite of your sunny bruiser. A fantastic showing, great with food. Well liked by the guests on the table tonight as well. Fully mature, drink now till 2020.
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1999 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 94 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
During a merchant vertical tasting. Medium tawny. A bit more dark fruit in the nose here together with the warm cherry compote notes, some gamey scents too. Balance is better than of the 95 and 98 but still on the warm side. Medium finish, touch of heat. Good but not great. Drink up. 94+
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1998 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 94 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
During a merchant tasting. Medium tawny. Also here nose of rum pot, port, pepper, more balanced than the 1995, some smoke and leather as well. Rich and ripe palate just like the 95, 99 and 06. Good but I wished for a bit more freshness and structure for a higher score. Drink up.
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1995 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 93 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
During a merchant tasting. Medium tawny. Nose of rum pot, port, pepper, on the rich and ripe side, a whiff of brett as well. A bit new worldish on the palate, lots of heat on the finish. I noticed this with the 98, 99 and 06 today where the wine had this warm, almost Barossa style profile. Drink up.
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