2003 | Paul Jaboulet Aîné | Hermitage La Chapelle

The wine is characterized by its intense and opulent style, with a full-bodied profile and ample fruit flavours. It typically exhibits aromas of blackberry, black cherry, plum, and liquorice, accompanied by hints of spices, herbs, and smoky nuances.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: The 2003 Hermitage la Chapelle is a stunner! From a scorching-hot year that may never be repeated, this behemoth took two months to ferment dry and hit 14.1% natural alcohol. In addition, while in a big year they can produce 80,000 to 90,000 bottles (or more in the case of the 2000), they only made 50,000 bottles of the '03. Locked and loaded with notions of plums, Asian spice, olive tapenade and sweet cassis, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a massive mid-palate and layers of sweet tannin. This blockbuster is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and will drink beautifully for another 15-20 years.

• Wine Spectator: Deceptively graceful at first, with a Burgundy-like perfume, this quickly delivers a torrent of fruit--blackberry, boysenberry and black currant--that cascades over itself, pushed from behind by flavors of mocha, mineral, tar and violets. Long, sweet and pure through a densely structured finish.

Producer Information

Paul Jaboulet Aîné has been a part of the Rhône Valley wine industry for almost two centuries, beginning with a small plot of land on the hills of Hermitage, before expanding throughout the region. Today, it encompasses more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of vineyards, making wines from the northern and southern Rhône, spanning Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Condrieu and Cornas. In 1834, Antonie Jaboulet began working the hills of Hermitage, growing and cultivating the vines that would lay the framework for future generations. On his death, the estate was passed to his sons Henri and Paul – the latter eventually giving his name to wines and the company. The estate was passed through the Jaboulet family until its acquisition by Franco-Swiss real-estate millionaire Jean-Jacques Frey and family in 2006. Winemaking at Jaboulet is overseen by Frey's daughter, Caroline, who also manages winemaking at Frey's other estates (Bordeaux's Château La Lagune and Château Corton-C in Aloxe-Corton) as well has her own project (Mon Jardin Secret) in the Valais. The Paul Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle is the estate's flagship wine and is one of the most sought-after wines from the Rhône, reaching high prices at auction. It is named for a 13th Century church built atop Hermitage (see image), which became the property of the company in 1919. The grapes for this 100 percent Syrah come from the best terroirs the company has access to, including famed vineyards Les Bessards, Le Méal and Les Rocoules. There is also a white La Chapelle made from a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, exclusively from the Les Rocoules estate. The winery also produces the rare Chevalier de Stérimberg Hermitage Blanc from 70 percent Marsanne and 30 percent Roussanne. On top of this, Paul Jaboulet makes a wide range of wines made in the northern Rhône based on Syrah for reds, and Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier for the whites. This is complemented by several wines from the southern Rhône, including the Parallel 45 Côtes du Rhône.

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