Paul Jaboulet Aine, Hermitage La Chapelle Red 2011

" 100% Syrah aged in small oak (around one-third to one-half new), this wine comes from the estate’s extensive holdings in Le Meal as well as smaller holdings in Les Bessards and Les Rocoules. Offering up layers of black raspberry, powdered rock, chocolate, roasted meats and graphite, it flows onto the palate with full-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth and masses of fine tannin that are sweet and polished, it should have 20+ years of total longevity." 

95 Pts - The Wine Advocate

Since 2006, owner Caroline Frey has been steadily pushing for increased quality at this historic estate. Moving all of the vineyards to sustainable farming (which takes years to see benefits), both the vineyard and cellar staff have been doubled. In addition, a new gravity operated cellar was set up in 2010. All of this shows, and across the board, the wines have impeccably made, clean and pure profiles. Looking at the individual Northern Rhône appellations, this estate produces four Hermitage (La Chapelle, La Chapelle Blanc, Le Petite Chapelle and Les Chevalier de Stérimberg), four Crozes Hermitage (Domaine de Thalabert, Domaine Mule Blanche, Domaine de Roure and Domaine de Roure Blanc), one Côte Rôtie (Domaine des Pierrelles), one Cornas (Domaine de Saint Pierre), one Saint Joseph (Domaine de la Croix des Vignes) and one Condrieu (Domaine des Grands Amandiers). Looking at 2011, Caroline stated that it was easy to get ripeness, and harvest was early to avoid heat stress on the grapes.

The white wines from Paul Jaboulet-Aine have also jumped in quality. Keep in mind that the proprietors, the Frey family, not only own Chateau La Lagune in Bordeaux, but are also major stockholders in the impressive Champagne firm of Billecart-Salmon."