Five Vintages of Jaboulet La Chapelle (Sonoita, AZ): Amazing! There must have been a provenance problem with the other wines with tasting notes on CT. This bottle came from the original buyer when released. I guess that made the difference! Tasting note below:
This is not everyone’s kind of wine. In fact, I was the only one of the group that put this wine at the top of my list. The nose had a slightly musty, moldy odor that helped you to visualize an old wine cave in France. The complexity is what drew you in. There was blackberry, sweet browned butter, forest floor and black pepper on the nose. The palate was still fruit forward, but was equally matched by the savory flavors from the nose. The black pepper did not show through to the palate. There was a mid-palate of dark chocolate and a long finish. The structure was perfectly balanced. With medium tannin still present and medium plus acidity. The mouth-feel was soft on the attack, becoming fine grained tannin and then finished with a good grip. An amazing wine that showed everything in a world class wine. The rest of the group couldn’t get past the musty nose. For me, it added character. If this is a problem for your sensibility, knock off a couple of points and you will get a more representative score.
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One of a few bottles left from a case. Didn't sell when culled through the cellar because wouldn't realize perceived value. Lots of sediment and left vertical for almost a week before opening. When first uncorked the nose out of the bottle was a little funky. After decanting and letting it breath there was still some dark fruit but mostly leather, chocolate and prune. The palate reflected the same notes and there was still a backbone of soft tannins making me think the wines would still be viable for a little while longer. The only weak point was the finish which trailed off rapidly. I do think for the price it is a good introduction to older La Chapelle without having to pay for the '90.
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Bordeaux 1986 single blind tasting at Grappe, Stockholm. With Mr Carl-Jan Granqvist and Mr Johan Edström. Open. Eucalyptus, licorice, leather, and after some time loads of roasted coffee. Fairly light and lacking some in concentration, the aftertaste could be longer.
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Mogen doft med kaffe, lakrits, läder, kryddor och en aning mint. I smaken rätt blek med svag frukt och aningen oxidation. Har passerat sitt bäst före datum
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Some nice spice on the front palate that represents Northern Rhone well, but I agree with everyone else that this bottle is a disappointment--especially at its present price point. Leathery, dark fruit notes, but otherwise nothing memorable.
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Nothing outstanding, however only opened for 2 hours so wine still closed. Lacked fruit body structure and whilst ok to drink did not leave a lasting impression.
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Tasting Group Dinner - Northern Rhône (Fugaise, Minneapolis): Fascinating nose: flowers, graphite, and black licorice. Initially the palate is firm and austere; with air, lots of ripe black fruit; with more air, an interesting mineral/iodine streak builds on the long finish. At first, this wine seems super-ripe with some VA; with air, very deftly balanced. This is a dynamic, somewhat mysterious Hermitage that I would call "intellectual" in style because it forces you to think. To me, it is also quite hedonistically satisfying.
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Mpls does Northern Rhone (Chave, Guigal, Jaboulet, Chapoutier, Clape, more): A controversial wine, but one that I really liked. I'll admit that the label may play a role as its hard not to get a little sentimental after you've climbed the hill of Hermitage to the Chapelle itself and enjoyed the panoramic view of the Rhone Valley. What I like about the wine itself is its wild character. This is the fourth or fifth vintage of Chapelle I've had, and each one has perplexed me. The awesome nose gives flavors of dark fruit, animal, flowers/herbs and minerals but it's wild and constantly changing. On the palate this comes across as tannic with dark fruit and iron dominating the flavors. Great intensity. Maybe a bit underfruited, but very satisfying.
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Recently purchased for $70. Dark and viscous. Loaded with black pepper. Lacks elegance - more of a rough and chunky experience. But the spiciness was so amplified, it made for an interesting bottle. Definitely ready to drink and probably past its prime.
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Young looking ruby colour with no sign of age. It's a very good, if not great, Hermitage. It has refinement and delicacy, but there is still something animal about it. Secondary flavours. Fine and very spicy tannins. RP (in his note of 1995) advised a drinking window ending in 2005, but there is life in it yet. vg+
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With Michael Lehmann at Square One dinner/wine tasting. Very dark in color. Fine nose. Good, but somewhat closed. In the mouth, excellent fruit flavors. Yes indeed! Great potential – should live long. 5-10-16-8: 89/100.
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12/10/2021 - TheSauerKraut Likes this wine:
Not the absolute best bottle of this that I have had -- some bottles of the 1986 have been transcendent -- but still quite good.
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10/29/2018 - LB88 wrote: 91 Points
Opened in morning had to be decanted before drinking and after 2 hours of decanting it finally opened up.
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6/10/2018 - djlevin Likes this wine: 98 Points
Five Vintages of Jaboulet La Chapelle (Sonoita, AZ): Amazing! There must have been a provenance problem with the other wines with tasting notes on CT. This bottle came from the original buyer when released. I guess that made the difference! Tasting note below:
This is not everyone’s kind of wine. In fact, I was the only one of the group that put this wine at the top of my list. The nose had a slightly musty, moldy odor that helped you to visualize an old wine cave in France. The complexity is what drew you in. There was blackberry, sweet browned butter, forest floor and black pepper on the nose. The palate was still fruit forward, but was equally matched by the savory flavors from the nose. The black pepper did not show through to the palate. There was a mid-palate of dark chocolate and a long finish. The structure was perfectly balanced. With medium tannin still present and medium plus acidity. The mouth-feel was soft on the attack, becoming fine grained tannin and then finished with a good grip. An amazing wine that showed everything in a world class wine. The rest of the group couldn’t get past the musty nose. For me, it added character. If this is a problem for your sensibility, knock off a couple of points and you will get a more representative score.
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10/3/2017 - MJR21401 Likes this wine: 90 Points
One of a few bottles left from a case. Didn't sell when culled through the cellar because wouldn't realize perceived value. Lots of sediment and left vertical for almost a week before opening. When first uncorked the nose out of the bottle was a little funky. After decanting and letting it breath there was still some dark fruit but mostly leather, chocolate and prune. The palate reflected the same notes and there was still a backbone of soft tannins making me think the wines would still be viable for a little while longer. The only weak point was the finish which trailed off rapidly. I do think for the price it is a good introduction to older La
Chapelle without having to pay for the '90.
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10/14/2016 - PEKB wrote: 92 Points
Bordeaux 1986 single blind tasting at Grappe, Stockholm. With Mr Carl-Jan Granqvist and Mr Johan Edström.
Open. Eucalyptus, licorice, leather, and after some time loads of roasted coffee. Fairly light and lacking some in concentration, the aftertaste could be longer.
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10/12/2016 - FamilyLarsson wrote: 88 Points
Mogen doft med kaffe, lakrits, läder, kryddor och en aning mint. I smaken rätt blek med svag frukt och aningen oxidation. Har passerat sitt bäst före datum
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6/19/2014 - Lype Likes this wine: 89 Points
Menthol, anise, sticky liqueur like mouthfeel, dried apricot, a good combination.
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1/1/2014 - Lord Purefoy wrote: 84 Points
Some nice spice on the front palate that represents Northern Rhone well, but I agree with everyone else that this bottle is a disappointment--especially at its present price point. Leathery, dark fruit notes, but otherwise nothing memorable.
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5/11/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: flawed
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Never a really top vintage for this wine, but this bottle really came across as cooked with a slightly stewy element throughout.
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1/7/2012 - BMcD77 wrote: 86 Points
Nothing outstanding, however only opened for 2 hours so wine still closed. Lacked fruit body structure and whilst ok to drink did not leave a lasting impression.
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11/23/2010 - saturnaisland wrote: 84 Points
Dark plummy fruit that seems to be fading. Some dry tannins with hints of leather. Somewhat disappointing.
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9/14/2010 - Rupert wrote: 87 Points
Hermitage dinner - Jaboulet La Chapelle and JL Chave (The Ledbury, London): Oxidative, smooth texture, a lactic tone, and lacking substance
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5/11/2010 - Rupert wrote: flawed
Hermitage La Chapelle - complete vertical 1961-2005 (Institute of Directors, London): Corked, oxidised, the works
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11/25/2008 - Siggy wrote: 92 Points
Tasting Group Dinner - Northern Rhône (Fugaise, Minneapolis): Fascinating nose: flowers, graphite, and black licorice. Initially the palate is firm and austere; with air, lots of ripe black fruit; with more air, an interesting mineral/iodine streak builds on the long finish. At first, this wine seems super-ripe with some VA; with air, very deftly balanced. This is a dynamic, somewhat mysterious Hermitage that I would call "intellectual" in style because it forces you to think. To me, it is also quite hedonistically satisfying.
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11/25/2008 - Dave Dalluge wrote:
Mpls does Northern Rhone (Chave, Guigal, Jaboulet, Chapoutier, Clape, more): A controversial wine, but one that I really liked. I'll admit that the label may play a role as its hard not to get a little sentimental after you've climbed the hill of Hermitage to the Chapelle itself and enjoyed the panoramic view of the Rhone Valley. What I like about the wine itself is its wild character. This is the fourth or fifth vintage of Chapelle I've had, and each one has perplexed me. The awesome nose gives flavors of dark fruit, animal, flowers/herbs and minerals but it's wild and constantly changing. On the palate this comes across as tannic with dark fruit and iron dominating the flavors. Great intensity. Maybe a bit underfruited, but very satisfying.
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8/12/2008 - otisabdul wrote: 89 Points
Recently purchased for $70. Dark and viscous. Loaded with black pepper. Lacks elegance - more of a rough and chunky experience. But the spiciness was so amplified, it made for an interesting bottle. Definitely ready to drink and probably past its prime.
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3/22/2006 - Jeff W wrote: 91 Points
Young looking ruby colour with no sign of age. It's a very good, if not great, Hermitage. It has refinement and delicacy, but there is still something animal about it. Secondary flavours. Fine and very spicy tannins. RP (in his note of 1995) advised a drinking window ending in 2005, but there is life in it yet. vg+
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3/26/1990 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 89 Points
With Michael Lehmann at Square One dinner/wine tasting. Very dark in color. Fine nose. Good, but somewhat closed. In the mouth, excellent fruit flavors. Yes indeed! Great potential – should live long. 5-10-16-8: 89/100.
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