Paul Jaboulet Aine

In the heart of the RhôneValley, this small chapel has become one of the world’s great historic buildings.  La Chapelle, the jewel of Maison Jaboulet, has a rich and emotive history. During the 13th century, a knight called Gaspard de Sterimberg settled in the hills of Tain l’Hermitage with the permission of Blanche de Castille. On his return from the crusades, he sought calm and serenity and isolated himself as a hermit, hence the name of the Hermitage appellation. There he built a Chapel, overlooking the RhôneValley.  La Chapelle endured the passage of time and finally became the property of Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné in 1919.

Hermitage “La Chapelle” itself is a blend of terroirs, including the prestigious hillsides of Méal and Bessards. Each one provides its own aromatic characteristics, as well as an elegant tannin structure, giving the wine great ageing potential.  Since the legendary 1961 vintage, which was classed as one of the twelve mythical wines of the 20th century, Hermitage “la Chapelle” has become one of the world’s most sought-after wines.

 Although Hermitage La Chapelle has been the source of many great Jaboulet wines there was a feeling, towards the closing years of the 20^th century that perhaps the wine was not always on a par with fellow icons of the Rhone, for example Michel Chapoutier’s Seleccion Parcellaire wines or Guigal’s famous La-La’s.  However, great changes have been implemented at Jaboulet under the dynamic management of new CEO Nicholas Jaboulet.  Nicholas brought in consultant winemaker Denis Dubourdieu from Bordeaux. Dubourdieu is know for his groundbreaking research on lees aging, oak integration and selection of yeast strains in winemaking.  His consultancy skills have helped create some of Bordeaux’s greatest wines of the past 20 years.

 Hermitage La Chapelle is created from 40-60 year old Syrah vines that are planted in rich and varied soils with very diverse terroirs (les Bessards, les Greffieux, le Méal and les Rocoules). The yields are tiny ranging from 10-18 hl/ha. It is the richness of the different terroirs that provides Hermitage La Chapelle with its complexity. Once harvested the grapes are brought down from the super-steep slopes of l’Hermitage on small sledges, after which they are sorted by hand and vinified traditionally in the winery.  Final blending is carried out during the ageing process and is done through judicious selection from the different terroirs of l’Hermitage.  La Chapelle is aged in oak barriques in Jaboulet’s ancient “VINEUM” cellar for 15 to 18 months.

 La Chapelle will always be a wine designed to reward patience though the more ‘modern’ interpretation of this great wine is undoubtedly a more forward style than the more “reluctant” style of the 20^th century.  The 2005 vintage will age, with consummate ease and elegance for 15-25 years.  One of the greatest wines of the world, La Chapelle should be considered on par with the very greatest wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne.

 Being something of a new release press notes are still quite thin on the ground but these two reviews from British stalwarts make very encouraging reading, as does the fact that 2005 provided near perfect conditions for fine red wines;

 Jancis Robinson, 19^th November 2007

Meaty, earthy ancient regime nose with lots of fruit but dry tannins for moment. You could enjoy this without waiting too long as the sheer opulence of the fruit wines the battle with the tannins.

18/20 points.

 Decanter Magazine, December 2007

Berry infused with mint, leather, interesting good varietal nose, good granite content.  Compact, dense fruit, wild berries and a kick to it.  Tannic aftertaste, still primary style.  Long and keeps its shape all round.

5 stars/Decanter Award

2005 Hermitage La Chapelle

6 bottle case ordered & stored underbond £500

6 bottle case delivered £600

 
2005 Hermitage La Petite Chapelle (2^nd wine of La Chapelle)

6 bottle case ordered & stored underbond £200

6 bottle case delivered £250 

NEW Addition

 Also available - La Chapelle Mix Case

3 bottles of each wine delivered as a mixed case price £425-00

Single bottles by prior arrangement.