1990 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle
Community Tasting Note
Mark1npt Likes this wine:
Monday, March 4, 2024 - Brought to the table tonight by Jim Aronson after a 1 hour slow ox in the bottle. Light/medium garnet in the glass. Some orange bricking noticeable as you swirl the glass, and it seemed like as it got more air over 3 hours a little more orange became evident in the glass.
Nose of smoky/meaty elements., later on a hint of....root beer and leather?
Palate of still surprisingly silky fruit, primarily black prunes, but not stewed fruit. I hate stewed fruit! HMC noted the wine had almost a Madeira-like quality to it on the palate. Maybe a bit of balsamic? Very well made and still surprisingly complex all around given its age at 34 years. The first of these I've ever had and while I'm not the biggest Syrah or CDP guy, it was quite enjoyable and certainly a treat to experience it. I was torn between a score of 94 and 95 in my notebook and did not check on CT to see what its average score was before posting this note. Good to know I'm in the ballpark as I am in no way a CDP expert. Thanks for the great experience with this bottle, Jim!
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11 comments have been posted
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Comment posted by hkbob:
3/5/2024 5:32:00 PM - Thanks for the great note, Mark. I've got a couple of these lurking in the cellar but have never tried one. Like you, I don't have a ton of cdp experience - stewed fruit is so not my thing either which is what I have encountered a number of times with older cdp's. Sounds like this wine may do the trick and I should plan to open one sooner than later so I can compare my experience with yours. All the best!
Comment posted by Mark1npt:
3/5/2024 5:42:00 PM - hk, I had no idea what this bottle of 'Royalty' was all about. It is certainly an experience and I am very thankful that my friend shared his last bottle with us. He purchased these on release decades ago. I like many aged wines and this was no exception, still I prefer the complexity of old Bdx or old Napa vs the CDP region. I have friends who are just the reverse of me in that regard, preferring the CDPs more than others. They are all good, just depends on what floats your personal boat. I would say it's time to drink these if you have them in your cellar. They can certainly age longer, but for what? I can't see them getting any better than what they are now. Cheers!
Comment posted by hkbob:
3/5/2024 6:13:00 PM - Thanks my friend, I'm excited to open a bottle and will set it up over a nice dinner in the next month or so!
Comment posted by Jimaronson:
3/5/2024 6:49:00 PM - Thanks for all your comments. I don't think there were any stewed fruits in the body of the wine, so it will be interesting to hear what you think. Also, I did not find it tasting like a Madera wine. It was not raisin like, but actually very clean and not clawing. It is a very good time to open one. I don't think it will get better. I would pnp next time to enjoy it from the onset. It will hold up for 4 to 5 hours. I give it a 95 and that is a great score for a bottle 34 years old.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:
3/5/2024 6:55:00 PM - I hope it's a great bottle for you hk! Keep me apprised!
Comment posted by Mark1npt:
3/5/2024 6:55:00 PM - Jim, thanks again for bringing it. A great experience.
Comment posted by hkbob:
3/5/2024 8:33:00 PM - I appreciate all the comments, Mark and Jim. Really very helpful. Jim, your daughter or granddaughter in your profile pic is absolutely adorable. I hope she shares your passion for wine someday. Best, Bob.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
3/6/2024 5:15:00 AM - I absolutely love the TN's of Hermitage. I've been blown away by a few Jaboulet's and I'm currently hunting down some 2015's for the cellar.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:
3/6/2024 5:46:00 AM - This was a fun bottle, Michael. Wishing you good hunting in your quest to find some!
Comment posted by macaujames:
3/6/2024 8:41:00 AM - This is one of the Petrus of the Rhone traditionally but it wasn't always up to scratch. I have just tried the Crozes Hermitage Thalabert, 2015 a 94, and am now trying the Beaucastel 2015 and a 95, a better wine but twice the price! Both are gems. I can only afford Beaucastel in 0.375 unfortunately!
Comment posted by Jimaronson:
3/6/2024 8:58:00 AM - I have a 2007 and 2015 Beaucastel to share with Markpt1. These wines usually get better with age. I would suggest that consider opening the 95. I would wait on the 2015.