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Hermitage La Chapelle 1978

Paul Jaboulet & Âiné, Rhône, France

Paul Jaboulet & Âiné
Rhône France
  • 99
    Points
  • The 253 best
    of 3 290 954
    wines globally
  • 33 Pros of
    33 recommend
    this wine
381 99
  • Taste
  • Moment

  • Country ranking ?

    213

  • Producer ranking ?

    5

  • Decanting time

    4h

  • When to drink

    now to 2040

  • Food Pairing

    Roast squab with cèpes

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

In the heart of the Rhône Valley, this small chapel has become one of the world’s great historic buildings
La Chapelle, the jewel of Maison Jaboulet, has a rich and emotive history. 
During the 13th century, a knight called Gaspard de Sterimberg settled in the hills of Tain l’Hermitage with the permission of Blanche de Castille. On his return from the crusades, he sought calm and serenity and isolated himself as a hermit, hence the name of t...

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Wine Information

1978/ The total harvest of the Côtes du Rhône wines is 1,858,004 Hl.
In the northernmost part, the grape harvests began on the 5th. October and finished on the 23rd. October.
The Autumn turns cold after several fine days. The winter is cold and snowy. Spring is cold and very wet; growth is slowed down. Helicopter spraying is tried out on the HERMITAGE for the first time, with good results. Flowering begins only on the 15th. June. July, Augus...

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Average Bottle Price

2023 2020 2017 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2005 2000
1 635€ +4.8% 1 560€ +0.4% 1 554€ +10.6% 1 405€ +18.1% 1 190€ +8.2% 1 100€ +14.0% 965€ -27.0% 1 322€ +33.5% 990€ +75.8% 563€ +44.7% 389€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Medium, Ruby red and Pale

ending

Long, Extensive, Smooth and Metallic

flavors

Leather, Blackberry, Cranberry, Raspberry, Pepper and Smoky

nose

Seductive, Complex, Ripe and Youthful

taste

Average in Acidity, Warming, Medium tannin, Concentrated, Well-structured, Perfectly balanced, Developing, Full-bodied, Round, Firm, Harmonious, Dry and Drying tannins

Verdict

Fine and Intelligent

Written Notes

The 1978 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle Magnum was all about the pheromones and sexy accordingly.  It was so rich out of magnum and also gamy, candle waxy, creamy and dry with texture to match. This was outstanding but another where I had grander memories.  Someone likened it to a ‘triple shot of Starbucks’ thanks to the coffee that developed (95M).

-
  • 95p
The Syrah grapes used for this flagship wine of Jaboulet come from two vineyards, Bessards and Méal. In 1978 these vineyards among others in Rhône were facing difficult weather conditions. Yields were reduced due to a cool and wet spring. The flowering turned out to be late and it proceeded very slowly. Then came a warm and dry summer not only helping the harvest to survive but to become perfect. A small crop with excellent quality reaching the level of the superb vintage 1961. Fine looking bottle. Decanted for two hours. Very dark, almost black in colour. Open and exotic bouquet of mineral, pepper, plum, blackberries and leather notes. In the mouth, this 1978 has an overwhelming concentration, exceptional balance and depth, and a superbly long, monumental finish that lasts for more than two minutes. This is the finest La Chapelle made since the legendary 1961.
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  • 98p
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Information

Origin

Hermitage, Rhône

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

Very Good

Fake factory

None

Glass time

3h

Drinking temperature

16

Other wines from this producer

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Cèdres Rouge

Côte du Rhône Parallèle 45 Blanc

Côte du Rhône Parallèle 45 Rouge

Côte-Rôtie

Côte-Rôtie Les Jumelles

Côtes du Rhône Parallèle 45

Crozes-Hermitage Blanc " Domaine Mule Blanche

Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert

Crozes-Hermitage Les Jalets Blanc

Crozes-Hermitage Les Jalets Rouge

Gigondas ‘Pierre Aiguille'

Hermitage La Chapelle Blanc

Hermitage Le Chevalier de Sterimberg

Saint-Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes

Inside Information

Deep, mature and dense on the rim. Deeply intoxicating, warm arabica coffee nose. Chocolate, cocoa and total allure. Cinnamon. On the palate it is so elegant and delicious with such style and class. This has now matured to so much finesse – the tannins have been tamed and the fruit has maintained all its persistence. Finishes half-lacy and half-pure power. The balance ensures longevity, if you can resists it now. Violets at the end.'
SERENA SUTCLIFFE, MW 09/2000

'Opaque plum/garnet-colored, with a fabulously sweet, youthful bouquet of licorice, incense, smoked meats, pepper, and blackberry/cassis fruit, the full-bodied 1978 La Chapelle is extremely young with astonishing vigor, velvety tannin, and a full-bodied, multi-dimensional, layered personality. The finish lasts for over 60 seconds. Remarkably fresh and not yet fully mature, the super-concentrated 1978 should continue to age well for another three decades. Anticipated maturity: now-2030.' (100)
ROBERT PARKER’S – WINE ADVOCATE 06/2000

'Full colour. Now looking as if, at long least, the wine has finally reached maturity. Very composed, extremely vigorous, very lovely concentrated, subtle flavours. Real depth and dimension here. Yes, finally ready. Now à point on the palate. Fullish. The tannins now well absorbed. Indeed no hard edges. The wine is very complex., marvellously harmonious and very, very long on the palate. Sweet finish. Sublime! A splendid wine. A great Hermitage.'
THE VINE CLIVE COATES, MW 12/1999

'From a famous vintage for Hermitage, greatness in a glass of wine. A deeply colored, thick yet elegant blockbuster, this 21-years-old red has reached that seamless level of balance – ripe fruit, clean acidity, smooth tannins. So sit back for a vinous ride through exciting mineral, plum, blackberry, cassis, horse stable and roasted nut loops. Drink now through 2020.' (99)
WINE SPECTATOR 12/1999

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