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Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle Dinner
Chez Spohn
Tasted December 15, 2012 by godx with 620 views
Flight 1 - Foie gras toasts; Smoked goose breast and white asparagus; Ricotta and sage meatballs (2 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Henriot Champagne Brut Souverain
90 points
Nice apple and citrus nose with maturing notes and some toasty aromas and flavours as well. Elegant mousse with solid acidity. This has been cellared for 10 years and is showing perfectly. Excellent.
Flight 3 - Grilled Sweetbreads on a bed of Balsamic Marinated Radicchio (1 note)
White
2004 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette
81 points
An oxidized apple and soft citrus fruit nose leads to a slightly austere and bitter palate offering more oxidized flavours. Lower acidity, medium weight and average finish. Nose is nicer than the palate. I’ve had much better bottles of this. Average.
Flight 4 - Wild Mushroom and Leek Galettes with Watrecress (1 note)
Red
1979 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle
93 points
Beautiful Northern Rhone nose with tobacco, earthy and savory meats notes, olive tapenade, red fruits and hints of bell pepper. Tannins are powdery and mainly resolved with nice acidity and red fruit flavours. There’s also a savory meat note that comes through on the finish. Drinking perfectly well and this won’t get any better. Outstanding.
Flight 5 - Grilled Quail with Juniper Berry Jus on a bed of Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots (1 note)
Red
1982 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle
93 points
This had a sweeter nose than the ’79, with more pepper and less leather/tobacco. The sweeter red fruits were accompanied but green olives and a nice saltiness. On the palate the profile continues with sweeter and riper fruits and more savory notes. A bigger wine than the ’79 with more fruit and substance. Softer tannins with solid acidity and a lengthy finish. Drinking very well now but well stored bottles still have plenty of time left. Outstanding.
Flight 6 - Lamb stuffed with Olive Tapenade, Grilled Asparagus with Sun-dried Tomato Vinaigrette, Scalloped Potatoes and Fennel (2 notes)
Red
1991 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle
92 points
There was a close similarity between this nose and the nose on the ’82 with sweet red fruits, pepper, olives and hints of tobacco. In the mouth this ’91 has great acidity, some softer tannins still present with a long finish. Drinking quite well now but there’s no rush. I’ve had this wine several times before, and besides one bottle, they’ve all been excellent. This bottle was no different. Excellent.
Red
1991 Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas Les Ruchets
90 points
Tasted blind. Asian spice nose with blacker fruits, pepper and hints of floral. This was definitely more polish than some of the previous La Chapelle and didn’t have the complex/gamey/earthy notes that I love. The profile from the nose carried onto the palate with clean fruit, a refined mouthfeel and medium weight. Drinking very well now and I don’t see this improving with further cellaring. Excellent.
Flight 7 - Stilton, Walnut and Endive Tart; Fromages (1 note)
Red - Fortified
1985 Warre Porto Vintage
90 points
Opened 9 hours. Sweet red fruit nose with lovely spice and Christmas cake notes. Soft and smooth on the palate with noticeable tannins but they are fine and very approachable. Dark cherry and chocolate on the medium length finish. Well balanced with nice acidity. Drink or hold. Excellent.