2017 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle
Community Tasting Note
csimm wrote:
Saturday, October 2, 2021 - Oh it's far too early my friends, but darnit-all if this isn't a fine specimen worth having in the cellar for a rainy day a few years from now. Opaque in the glass, with only the rims allowing ambient light, this wine is serious business. The nose alone is intoxicating enough to flood the senses, with a mashed berry fiesta shooting up the nostrils. Is this SQN?!
On the palate...so, um, nope, this is definitely not SQN. This is indeed Northern Rhone with some sultry time goin' on. The depth and length alone demand complete attention; a compelling array of youthfully taut but shockingly profound black, blue, purple, and dark red berry and plum fruits intermingle with black olive, wet stone, and spices. The acidity is judicious but not poppin'-off so loud that it takes away from the profundity; the depth here would never allow it. Finishes long and drawn-out, with focused speed and quivering berry and plum skin notes driving to the back of the palate and pitter-patter-undulating until they tail-off. Both chewy and concentrated, while simultaneously firmly juvenile in its determination and structure, this Chapelle may push the three digit mark in 5-6 years. 97+ points for now, but this is certainly driving a stake firmly in Hermitage with an alluring authority that speaks from both new and old world platforms.
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7 comments have been posted
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Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
10/2/2021 2:58:00 PM - In your opinion how does Paul Jaboulet compare to Jean Louis Chave Hermitage?
Comment posted by csimm:
10/3/2021 8:09:00 AM - Tough question. Chave used to be more classically driven and a bit old school by comparison (red fruit, leather, and kirsch notes sometimes), but more recent vintages seem more opulent and ripe. It depends on how they blend the sites each year. I’ve only sampled a couple of Chave over the years, so my reference falls heavier on Jaboulet, which is also obviously a bit less expensive. The Chapelle has been a solid offering but is still pretty spun up. Chapoutier is always a top Hermitage competitor, but is more mineral driven generally, at least Pavillion. “They are all good,” is the real answer and are great examples of Syrah. I may favor Jaboulet right now cuz I really like the focus here.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
10/3/2021 3:00:00 PM - Thanks for the notes Csimm. I've taken more expensive flyers so I'll hunt one of the these down and report back. Hope you had a great weekend.
Comment posted by csimm:
10/3/2021 4:46:00 PM - Jaboulet is a good place to start. I’d be curious to know your impressions of the Chapelle. I’ll also say if/when you come across the much cheaper/lesser Jaboulet wines in your travels (Bleue, Thalabert), though they are fine and all, they aren’t worth the trouble in the end when compared to the Chapelle. I’ve been messing around with a few and they are more than good and quite reasonable, but it’s totally apples and oranges. Just my opinion.
Comment posted by csimm:
10/3/2021 4:47:00 PM - ... And I hope your weekend has been going good as well!
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
10/4/2021 10:10:00 AM - Looks like I'm in business. Found a Mag of 17.
Comment posted by csimm:
10/4/2021 10:27:00 AM - Par-tay!