2003 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle

Community Tasting Note

HowardNZ Likes this wine:

Friday, June 3, 2016 - Three wines with Wayne: Popped and poured, which was probably a good idea as it seemed to shut down between hours 2 to 3. Deep, purply red. On bouquet, brighter, more primary red fruit than the Dunn. Kirsch, red plums and crème de cassis. Also, a little vanillin oak, although well integrated, with hints of dark chocolate. In the mouth, intense and very ripe, slightly pruney in parts. Polished red and black cherries and some plums. A little red liquorice. Huge scale and fruit volume. Major tannins rounded and quite well integrated. Coffee and toasty oak on the back palate, with a long finish. It was drinkable and enjoyable on the night, but it's a baby, really. Revisit in 10-20 years.

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Comment posted by felixp:

6/3/2016 7:59:00 AM - Thanks Howard.
There must be incredible bottle variation with this wine, I have had no luck and three from the one case have all been slightly cooked, and lack freshness, as described by Jancis. However, I note you assessment which is consistent with several critics, and therefore I will bury my remaining nine bottles in the hope they evolve as you suggest they might!!!
Comment posted by HowardNZ:

6/3/2016 2:36:00 PM - Felix, that's bad luck. Could there have been a cork issue? My cork was very clean with purple staining on the bottom only. Or could storage have been an issue? I hope your other bottles go better. Ideally this wine does need time.

Best, Howard
Comment posted by felixp:

6/3/2016 4:13:00 PM - not corked, and purchased on release with perfect cellaring. I guess it might have suffered in transport though, who knows? Your note gives me hope, however, and I will bury them an check on in a decade or so!!!
Comment posted by pablopilot:

12/11/2017 4:28:00 PM - Excellent note. I now taste the coffee, which I hadn't noticed before reading this. Didn't get any pruniness out of this bottle however. Wholly concur that further aging is possible, desirable and perhaps even required.