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Wine Description
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 the Hermitage appellation. There he built a Chapel, overlooking the Rhône Valley.
La Chapelle endured the passage of time and finally became the property of Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné in 1919.
Hermitage “La Chapelle” is a blend of terroirs, including the prestigious hillsides of Méal and Bessards. Each one provides its own aromatic characteristics, as well as an elegant tannin structure, giving the wine great ageing potential.
Since the legendary 1961 vintage, which was classed as one of the Twelve mythical wines of the 20th century, Hermitage “la Chapelle” has become one of the world’s most sought-after wines.
Its fame has led Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné to revive a historical tradition by producing a few bottles of 2006 “la Chapelle” white wine.
The diversity of “terroirs” on these lands gives our wine an identity of its own, thanks to the blending of grapes from different plots.
Soil:
The Syrah vines are planted in rich and varied soils with very diverse terroirs (les Bessards, les Greffieux, le Méal and les Rocoules).
It is the richness of these different terroirs that provides our Hermitage La Chapelle with its complexity.
Grape Variety:
Very old Syrah vines; goblet pruning on stakes.
Age of the vines:
40 to 60 years.
Vinification:
Grapes are brought down from the slopes of l’Hermitage on small sledges, after which they are sorted by hand and vinified traditionally in our wineries
Final blending is carried out during the ageing process and is done through judicious selection from the different terroirs of l’Hermitage.
Ageing:
La Chapelle is aged in wood in our ancient “VINEUM” cellar for 15 to 18 months. During this process the wines are also racked.
Yield:
Low yields of 10 to 18 hl/ha.
Wine Information
1985/ The total harvest of the Côtes du Rhône wines is 2,432,095 Hl.
In the northernmost part, the grape harvests began on the 23rd. September and finished on the 8th. October.
A very good Autumn with mild, showery weather.
Winter is long, particularly cold, with heavy frosts. The early Spring is fine but turns colder.
The warm weather arrives in June. A good summer, very hot, with a little rain on the 15th August.
The harvest takes place amid fine weather; it is even very warm.
The 1985 vintage is very good – the drought has not harmed the vines. The reds have very good, deep local tang and are keeping wines. The SYRAH wines are particularly successful.
The white wines are more jealous; a small amount, but of good quality.
Hermitage La Chapelle – Maison Jaboulet
For almost two centuries, the Jaboulet family has shared a common passion for the Rhône Valley, its history, its terroir, its exceptional people and wines. In 1834, Antoine Jaboulet (1807 - 1864) started working the land in this region thereby linking his destiny with that of this fertile terroir. By dint of hard work and passion, his vines were to provide him with a wine of exceptional quality, to be perpetuated by his sons, Paul and Henri. It was Paul who then gave his name to the business. Since then, the generations have continued to succeed one another.
The Frey family, longstanding winemakers in Champagne and owners of Château La Lagune in Bordeaux, acquired Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné in January 2006, thus adding to its portfolio of prestigious names. Nicolas and Frédéric Jaboulet, together with Frédéric Mairesse, the new director, share the Frey family’s passion for excellence.
La Chapelle, which is situated on the hillside of l’Hermitage, looks out over the Rhône Valley. During the 13th century, the Chevalier de Stérimberg made it his home on his return from the crusades. Later still, it became the source of the family’s flagship wine, l’Hermitage La Chapelle. The 1961 vintage would be classed among the Twelve mythical bottles of the 20th century, and a small number of bottles and magnums are still kept by Jaboulet and in a few cellars elsewhere in the world…
For nearly two centuries, Jaboulet has been producing wines that represent generations of hard work and a passion for excellence. In order to perpetuate these values, Jaboulet adheres to an unswerving commitment to improving vineyards, through strategic acquisitions and work in the cellars, while respecting the environment at the same time.
Soil: rich and varied soils with very diverse terroirs
Production area:
Grape varieties: Syrah
Average age of vines: 40 to 60 years
Harvest method: hand-harvested
Winemaking: Grapes are brought down from the slopes of l’Hermitage on small sledges, after which they are sorted by hand and vinified traditionally in the wineries. Final blending is carried out during the ageing process and is done through judicious selection from the different terroirs of l’Hermitage.
Ageing: 15 to 18 months in wood. After bottling, the wine may also remain in the cellars for several more years before release.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:
'Very good crimson colour, just maturing and shading off at the rim. Wonderfully rich “Burgundian” bouquet of wet earth and vegetation. Very liquorice and “rubber” taste – rich and “vegetal”, in the good sense! Mocha notes. Very curranty at the end. Coffee tannins. I love drinking this now.'
SERENA SUTCLIFFE, MW 09/2000
'A saturated dark plum/garnet color with amber at the edge is followed by an attractive smoky, underbrush, and truffle-scented wine with coffee, smoke, cedar, and jammy cassis/plum-like fruit. As the wine sits in the glass, notes of Chinese black tea, pepper, and soy emerge. There is surprising tannin and austerity in the finish, but the aromatics and attack were convincingly rich and intense. From my cellar, the 1985 appears to be developing at an evolved, precocious pace, but at the Jaboulets, the wine revealed far more force, vigor, structure, and weight. Anticipated maturity:2005-2025.'
ROBERT PARKER’S – WINE ADVOCATE 06/2000
'Very good colour. Just about mature. Spice rather than cedar wood on the nose. Higher-toned than the 1983. Slightly less rich. Slightly less fresh perhaps. Firm though. Plump and ripe. Still backward. Gets better and better in the glass. Fullish on the palate. Meaty. Very good acidity. Splendidly ripe fruit. Still some unresolved tannin. Long on the follow-through. Complex and impressive. Still needs a year or two. Fine.'
THE VINE CLIVE COATES, MW 12/1999
'A pleasant, expressive Hermitage, showing a ripe character, with lovely plum, blackberry, lead pencil and leather notes. The tannins are well integrated but still firm. Long finish. Drink now through 2007.' (91)
WINE SPECTATOR 12/1999