Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aine - Hermitage 'La Chapelle' Red 2012 Magnum

Grape

Syrah (100%) | Organic certification

Tasting notes

Some wines are built for the long haul, and the 2012 Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage 'La Chapelle' Red, bottled here in magnum, is one of them. A full-bodied, highly concentrated Northern Rhône Syrah, it carries immense depth and exceptional aging potential and in magnum format, it will age even more gracefully and slowly than a standard bottle, holding onto peak freshness and structure for longer.

The color runs deep, and the bouquet matches it: spiced dark fruits (black raspberry, plum, cassis) meet roasted beef blood, black olives, smoky minerality, cracked black pepper, and hints of espresso and toasted bread. On the palate the wine is rich, layered, and powerful yet remarkably supple, its silky-but-structured tannins carrying a stacked mid-palate and savory herbal undertones. The finish is exceptionally long and complex, closing on notes of salted licorice and peppery spice.

About the winery

Undoubtedly one of the greatest names in the Rhône Valley, Paul Jaboulet Aîné was founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet and is perhaps best known for its flagship La Chapelle, of which the 1961 vintage still holds the title as one of the greatest wines ever made. A series of mishaps in the 1990s threw the estate in disarray and it took the financial might of the Frey family to set the estate on a path to recovery.

Since 2006, the Frey family have accomplished an impressive feat at Paul Jaboulet Aine by taking this historic estate to its rightful place as the first growth of the Rhone. With their experience at Chateau La Lagune in Bordeaux, the Frey family saw the potential in Jaboulet’s vineyards, including the important and iconic vineyard, Hermitage La Chapelle.

Caroline Frey has since taken over as owner and winemaker of Paul Jaboulet Aine and within 10 years, enabled Paul Jaboulet Aine to attain organic certification.