Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 2018
• Domaine:Paul Jaboulet Aîné
• Appellation.: Hermitage
• Classification: Hermitage, Northern Rhône, France
The Rhône producer Jaboulet has one of the longest histories of any winery or négociant in Northern Rhône. Jaboulet was founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet in the Northern Rhône Valley. Its flagship wine, Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle, is one of the benchmark expressions of Hermitage from this appellation. The property was acquired by the Frey family, with the legendary vigneron Caroline Frey at the helm. Under her direction, Jaboulet has skyrocketed in terms of quality; with their jewel of a wine Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle at the helm.
It is common knowledge that prior to World War II the wines of the Rhône Valley were often shipped off in cask to Burgundy and Bordeaux to add extra depth and dimension to the wines being produced in those regions. The history of Jaboulet is no different. After the AOC laws went into effect, Jaboulet began focusing on crafting its own wines, using the varietals like Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre that were native to the local area. Jaboulet skyrocketed in quality due to the influential leadership of Gerard Jaboulet, peaking in one of the most profound vintages of Hermitage of the century – the 1961. After Gerard’s passing, it took the estate a little while to find its footing. It wasn’t until the Frey family purchased the domaine in 2003 that it was reborn.
Caroline Frey’s goals for the estate are simple. As she puts it, she’s searching for, “Nothing less than perfection.” After graduating at the top of her class in Enology at Bordeaux University, Caroline Frey put her training into practice after being appointed to run Jaboulet and the famed Bordeaux Third Growth estate, Château La Lagune. A proud champion of Biodynamic and Organic viticulture, Caroline prioritized switching up Jaboulet’s more traditional practices out in the vineyard. Since the estate implemented biodynamics, the quality skyrocketed and critics have been taking notice. Caroline spared no expense when updating this winery, acquiring other parcels of vines in prestigious appellations like Condrieu and creating a gravity-operated cellar in 2010. Many claim that Jaboulet is back in its rightful place as one of the top producers of Hermitage.
Jaboulet is considered to be one of the largest landowners in Hermitage with 22 hectares of vines that are distributed over various lieu-dits. A lieu-dit is a French term used to describe a part of a vineyard or region recognized for its own special geographical characteristics or historical events that happened there. Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle is a blend of several very special terroirs aged with just a kiss of French oak to provide added dimension and structure. Paul Jaboulet Aîné needs at least a decade of bottle ageing before it can reach its highest potential. The wine is inky, complex, and unparalleled in intensity. Oenophiles and critics alike will declare if there is one wine to try from the Northern Rhône, this wine would be it. Clearly, Caroline Frey has achieved her goal of attaining the perfection she seeks.
Tasting Notes
"The beautifully proportioned 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle comes across as a complex, complete version of this renowned bottling, with no rough edges—just moderate spice, cassis, red berries and cedar on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, silky and fine, brimming with harmony and elegance on the palate, while the finish is long, echoing with cassis, charcoal and crushed stone. The tannins firm up a bit on the finish, so I suspect this will close down soon, then blossom sometime after 2025." Joe Czerwinski, May 2021 Week 2 The Wine Advocate (05/13/2021) Rating: 98+ Drink: 2025-2040
"Just 15% new oak, but it is nonetheless quite noticeable (though should harmonise in time) with good rich, berry fruit underneath. Full-bodied, very in fact - real weight here. Alcohol feels somewhat out of balance, and the tannic weight is massive. Feels a touch over-extracted and heavy on the palate, it lacks the lightness of touch of the 2016. There is a good sense of textural finesse however, ending with firm, chewy, slightly drying tannins that will need a good decade to soften."Matt Walls, Decanter, Rating: 92 Drink: 2025-2040
"As I wrote last year from barrel, the 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle is a backward, primordial Hermitage built for the ages. Incredible crème de cassis, blueberries, scorched earth, burning embers, and liquid violet-like aromas and flavors dominate the bouquet, and this beauty is full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful on the palate. With just hints of the smoky, meaty, beefy character that emerges from all aged examples of this cuvée, it has incredible tannins, perfect balance, and a monster of a finish. Don't think about touching bottles for at least 7-8 years, and it's going to keep for 50 years or more." Jeb Dunnuck, Northern Rhône The 2018s and 2019s (11/19/2020) Rating: 98+ Drink: 2027-2078
"Opaque ruby. Displays powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit preserves, licorice, cola, baking spices and potpourri, along with an exotic suggestion of incense. Utterly stains the palate with intense blackberry, cherry, cassis, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that deliver a suave blend of weight and energy. Youthfully solid tannins add shape and grip to an extremely long, mineral- and floral-accented finish that shows outstanding clarity and dark fruit thrust." Josh Raynolds, Vinous (04/2020) Rating: 96 Drink: 2028-2048
Stock Status | In Stock |
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Appellation | Hermitage |
Vintage | 2018 |
Brand | Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné |
Shipping Weight | 3.000000 |