In Bond Fine Wine. 2015 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle, Hermitage, Rhone, France. Red Rhone in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 100/100 (JD). Drinking window: 2026–2066. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
The oldest vineyard in Crozes-Hermitage appellation, Domaine de Thalabert has been owned by Paul Jaboulet Aîné since 1834. The domaine now covers 45 hectares with deeply rooted old vines, planted from 1934 to 1975 which produce small and intense berries. This historic estate is unquestionably a fabulous terroir with the 1961, but also the 1978 and 1990 vintages now wine legends. 100% Syrah made from old vines on the best granite soils. When young, it can be earthy & rich & yet, "when mature, La Chapelle comes into its own.
Jeb Dunnuck (JD) — 97–100/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/12/2016
A wine that might surpass the 2009 and 2010 is the 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle, which has more than a passing resemblance to the 1990. This inky black/blue-colored Hermitage offers an off-the-charts array of blackberries, blueberries, crushed rocks, wood smoke and charred meats. Thick, unctuous, full-bodied and incredibly layered, with sweet tannin, it's a tour de force that's going to have three…
Joe Czerwinski (JC) — 98/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 29/12/2017 · Drink 2027-2050
The 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is one of the estate's finest recent efforts. It's packed with firm tannins and will need to be lost in the cellar for a decade, but it will reward those with patience. Richly concentrated and full-bodied, it hits all the expected notes'cassis, black olive, smoke, crushed stone, pencil shavings and espresso'then finishes long, with an aristocratic sense of reserve a…
Jeb Dunnuck (JD) — 100/100 · JebDunnuck.com, 24/01/2018 · Drink 2026-2066
Lastly, and a legendary wine in the making, the 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is reminiscent of the 1990 with its full-bodied, opulently, sexy, yet concentrated style. Offering sensational notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, beef blood, and chocolate, it's a huge yet elegant wine that has masses of sweet tannin, incredible purity and finesse, and a killer finish. It's the finest wine from this est…