WTN 96 La Chapelle, Hermitage, Paul Jaboulet Aine, Rhone

96 La Chapelle, Hermitage, Paul Jaboulet Aine, Rhone

Needs only less than an hour for the wine to be in best condition. Very bright toned, nose consists of smokiness, lively red fruit, orange peel, hint of pepper which is wide and deep with lots of warm mineral tone as well, very fragrant indeed! In the palate, nice fruit , slightly spicy, lively acidity , structured, integrated and balance , a Grand Cru quality indeed! Finish is super long and comfortable. At its peak and should last for a long period of time.

Encouraging report. I believe that there is a lot of bottle variation, probably bottling run variation, in this wine. We had a poor one at a vertical a few years ago. I hope mine, which I am planning to leave till nearer their 20th birthday, will be like yours.

I had a six-pack and drank a few btls already which were very animally, closed in and tight , unlike this one, which has just started to open up.

A nice report Eric, and nice to here from you! I was wondering if you were still around.

Anyone have any insight into the 2001's? Sorry , don't mean to hijack this thread.

Ryan,

How have you been? Yes I have been inactive for a while and drank less wine than previously. Of coz I do drank from time to time.

Mike,

2001 la Chapelle is marvellous juice with all the elements in it, don't have a TN on hand but it's worth buying if not too expensive.

cheers,
Eric

Many thanks Eric! I appreciate that!

Mike,
Here's my TN of the 2001 tasted at a wine Tasting event.

2001 Hermitage – while I was mildly disappointed with my ’96 Hermitage from the same producer, I came with a preconception that ’01 should not be ready yet. Poured some in the glass and ask the very friendly promoter Sandy to put it aside for me so that I can secure some and come back in an hour’s time to see how it goes. Once poured in the glass, the wine does not reveal much and is very closed in. After an hour, the wine evolves beautifully in the glass and an explosive chocolate (55% cacao) gushed out of the glass dominating the nose without feeling obtrusive. Later, blueberry, leather, vanilla , floral and black pepper notes was picked up, very intriguing nose indeed! In the mouth, it is med. to full bodied consists of sweet ripe currant fruit and damp earth albeit the tannin is still a bit grainy, it is nonetheless lively (good acidity) and enjoyable with the long and fruity finish. Surprising lightish for a Hermitage but an outstanding one for sure! Could it improve with aging, I guess yes with the tannin further smoothen out, it would turn out to be even better!