Paul Jaboulet Aîné
About Paul Jaboulet Aîné
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 Aîné and within 10 years, enabled Paul Jaboulet Aîné to attain organic certification.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€1,768.38 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)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 estate in close to 30 years. Hats off to Caroline Frey and Jacques Desvernois! |
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Rhone | 2 | 97-98 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,099.98 |
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James Suckling (97-98)Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much character yet turns fine and focused at the end. A beauty. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€904.38 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle showed incredibly well and is a brilliant wine that's reminiscent of a richer, denser 2011. Loads of sun-kissed dark fruits, leather, graphite, and flowers, with ample spice and sandalwood nuances, give way to a full-bodied, pure, deep, multi-dimensional Hermitage that’s just about as good as it gets. The balance, length, and depth of this is something to behold, and while it unquestionably offers pleasure today, it has another 20-30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. |
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Rhone | 2 | 98-100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,198.96 |
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Wine Advocate (98-100)Jaboulet's 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle features scents of crushed stone, violets and cassis. It's a classic trio, backed by a wine that's full-bodied, rich and powerful yet also airy, somehow carrying intense plum and black olive flavors without any sense of heaviness or excess weight. Then the wine finishes long and softly dusty, with tannins that accentuate its savory character, picking up delicious hints of licorice at the very end. The proportion of new oak has been trimmed back to a very reasonable 20% and is hardly noticeable in the wine. |
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Rhone | 3 | 20++ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€1,287.76 |
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Matthew Jukes (20++)Like La Maison Bleue, La Chapelle barely moved an inch over the five days that it sat open (and gradually oxidising) on my tasting bench. This is a monumental wine with the finest Syrah nose I have seen since the ethereal and intriguing beauty of the remarkable 2016 vintage and also the monolithic stance of the legendary 1990. However, this is not to say that this vintage can be directly compared to either year. There is a latent power about this wine that is as elusive as it is impressive. This solaire vintage has certainly given La Chapelle a sense of foreboding power and yet there is so much grace here, too. You could be sniffing a handful of granite and gravel, a bouquet of freshly picked herbs, a mortar of freshly ground pepper or a punnet of juicy black fruit and yet there is so much more to discover here. What I find so remarkable about this wine is that it does not show any trace of over-ripeness nor does it have any unwanted oiliness or excessive alcohol. In spite of its richness and depth, this is a pristinely refreshing wine with crunch and crackle of filigree tannin which enlivens every sip. In this regard, it is a far less obvious superstar than the preening 1990 and it is a more erudite and statuesque model than the esoteric 2016. In short, this is one of only a handful of vintages of La Chapelle to which I have awarded a perfect score and who is to say that this will not happen again before too long? The care and attention in this entire portfolio of wines are evident and the hard work and holistic approach are not only paying off in the vineyards but also in the glass, too, and this makes 2019 another phenomenally successful vintage for Jaboulet. |
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Rhone | 1 | 19+ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€1,103.27 |
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Matthew Jukes (19+)While there are faint roasted coffee bean notes here, which hint at the warm summer, and exotic rose and musk characters that only ever emerge in concentrated vintages, this is a masterclass in restraint and self-awareness. While this 2020 perhaps lacks the overall gravitas and high-rise tannins of the majestic 2019 vintage, this is a very seductive La Chapelle and one that will appeal to lovers of textural, velvety Syrahs. I am certain that everyone who drinks this wine will fall for its charms. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,140.78 |
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Vinous (95)(made entirely from fruit grown in the Mayson Blanche lieu-dit and aged in used demi-muids for nine months) Light green-hued yellow. Highly perfumed, incisive aromas of white peach, tangerine and honey pick up suggestions of iodine and chamomile as the wine opens up. Shows superb clarity and thrust on the palate, offering sappy citrus and pit fruit flavors that deepen and spread out slowly with air while maintaining energy. Finishes with excellent focus, mineral lift and persistence, leaving behind hints of candied lemon, pear nectar and oyster shell. The combination of depth and finesse here is pretty stunning, and I'll bet that this wine will enjoy a very long, smooth aging arc. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€375.76 |
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Vinous (94)Inky violet color. Deeply pitched cherry, blueberry, licorice and candied violet aromas are complemented by hints of baking spices, incense and smoky minerals. Succulent and penetrating on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black/blue fruit, spice and floral pastille flavors that become more energetic as the wine slowly stretches out. Weighty and broad yet lively as well, finishing with sharp delineation, mounting tannins and outstanding, floral- and mineral-driven persistence. |
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|
Rhone | 2 | 19++ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€363.76 |
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Matthew Jukes (19++)I fell for this wine in a microsecond – the very moment the first molecule of perfume exploded on my receptors. This is a step-change vintage for La Maison Bleue because I have not seen this degree of single-mindedness and overriding intention before in this wine. 2019 La Maison Bleue seems as if it has realised that it does not need to sit behind La Chapelle in Caroline Frey’s portfolio. It signals, loud and clear, that it ought to be seated alongside its more renowned stablemate and be accorded the opportunity to address the masses as an equal, not a subordinate. This is a bold move from this honed, sleek wine. In 2019, with just that little bit more power and ambition under its belt, it has broken free and it looks absolutely sensational. The fruit is regal and layered and the tannins are precision-cut and perfectly positioned making it every inch a superstar. By the end of day five of my tasting these amazing wines, La Maison Bleue seemed as if it were saying, let’s keep going! While this is a ‘finished barrel sample’, this wine wanted to be tested to its limits and I cannot fault its enthusiasm and excellence. You simply must track it down! |
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|
Rhone | 2 | 18.5+ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€555.76 |
|||||
Matthew Jukes (18.5+)With epic balance and stunning poise, La Maison Bleue is a Burgundian-shaped Hermitage in 2020, making it all the more intriguing and memorable. Like the others in this portfolio, the control here is remarkable, and the weight and length are astounding, too. Iodine and menthol hints coupled with garrigue and sanguineous moments add drama and detail to the sleek black core, but this is not an over-ripe or over-enthusiastic wine but a measured and contemplative soul. Delicious. |
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|
Rhone | 1 | 87+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€676.07 |
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Vinous (87+)Pale gold color. Peach and citrus hints on the nose, with strong oak notes of smoke and vanilla. Chewy with extract but a bit youthfully aggressive; showing less obvious fruit and sweetness today than the Raymond Roure Crozes bottling, or is it simply a bit overwhelmed by its wood element? With aeration, this showed notes of licorice and Thai basil and the dried nut character of classic traditionally styled white Hermitage. |
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Rhone | 1 | 92 (WS) |
Inc. TAX
€796.07 |
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Wine Spectator (92)Has a mix of candied citrus peel, floral, lanolin and fig flavors, with a nicely firm finish. Long and tight, with the citrus and floral notes holding the fruit at bay for now. Needs time to unwind. Best from 2008 through 2013. 25 cases imported. -JM |
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Rhone | 1 | 19+ (MJ) |
Inc. TAX
€498.78 |
|||||
Matthew Jukes (19+)There is extraordinary equilibrium in this sensational wine. It is so finely balanced it is baffling, and the depth and richness is offset with the most dramatic acid and strident minerality I have seen in a wine of this style. There are profound meadow-flower and stone fruit flavour here which enchant the senses but they are marshalled brilliantly by the citrus pith and green apple skin raspiness on the finish. This is the most exciting Chevalier I have ever tasted and it rivals the very best whites from this region and others besides. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) |
In Bond
€1,455.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (100)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 estate in close to 30 years. Hats off to Caroline Frey and Jacques Desvernois! |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 2 | 97-98 (JS) |
In Bond
€898.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97-98)Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much character yet turns fine and focused at the end. A beauty. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 1 | 99 (JD) |
In Bond
€735.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle showed incredibly well and is a brilliant wine that's reminiscent of a richer, denser 2011. Loads of sun-kissed dark fruits, leather, graphite, and flowers, with ample spice and sandalwood nuances, give way to a full-bodied, pure, deep, multi-dimensional Hermitage that’s just about as good as it gets. The balance, length, and depth of this is something to behold, and while it unquestionably offers pleasure today, it has another 20-30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 2 | 98-100 (WA) |
In Bond
€976.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98-100)Jaboulet's 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle features scents of crushed stone, violets and cassis. It's a classic trio, backed by a wine that's full-bodied, rich and powerful yet also airy, somehow carrying intense plum and black olive flavors without any sense of heaviness or excess weight. Then the wine finishes long and softly dusty, with tannins that accentuate its savory character, picking up delicious hints of licorice at the very end. The proportion of new oak has been trimmed back to a very reasonable 20% and is hardly noticeable in the wine. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 3 | 20++ (MJ) |
In Bond
€1,050.00 |
|||||
Matthew Jukes (20++)Like La Maison Bleue, La Chapelle barely moved an inch over the five days that it sat open (and gradually oxidising) on my tasting bench. This is a monumental wine with the finest Syrah nose I have seen since the ethereal and intriguing beauty of the remarkable 2016 vintage and also the monolithic stance of the legendary 1990. However, this is not to say that this vintage can be directly compared to either year. There is a latent power about this wine that is as elusive as it is impressive. This solaire vintage has certainly given La Chapelle a sense of foreboding power and yet there is so much grace here, too. You could be sniffing a handful of granite and gravel, a bouquet of freshly picked herbs, a mortar of freshly ground pepper or a punnet of juicy black fruit and yet there is so much more to discover here. What I find so remarkable about this wine is that it does not show any trace of over-ripeness nor does it have any unwanted oiliness or excessive alcohol. In spite of its richness and depth, this is a pristinely refreshing wine with crunch and crackle of filigree tannin which enlivens every sip. In this regard, it is a far less obvious superstar than the preening 1990 and it is a more erudite and statuesque model than the esoteric 2016. In short, this is one of only a handful of vintages of La Chapelle to which I have awarded a perfect score and who is to say that this will not happen again before too long? The care and attention in this entire portfolio of wines are evident and the hard work and holistic approach are not only paying off in the vineyards but also in the glass, too, and this makes 2019 another phenomenally successful vintage for Jaboulet. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 1 | 19+ (MJ) |
In Bond
€897.00 |
|||||
Matthew Jukes (19+)While there are faint roasted coffee bean notes here, which hint at the warm summer, and exotic rose and musk characters that only ever emerge in concentrated vintages, this is a masterclass in restraint and self-awareness. While this 2020 perhaps lacks the overall gravitas and high-rise tannins of the majestic 2019 vintage, this is a very seductive La Chapelle and one that will appeal to lovers of textural, velvety Syrahs. I am certain that everyone who drinks this wine will fall for its charms. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
€932.00 |
|||||
Vinous (95)(made entirely from fruit grown in the Mayson Blanche lieu-dit and aged in used demi-muids for nine months) Light green-hued yellow. Highly perfumed, incisive aromas of white peach, tangerine and honey pick up suggestions of iodine and chamomile as the wine opens up. Shows superb clarity and thrust on the palate, offering sappy citrus and pit fruit flavors that deepen and spread out slowly with air while maintaining energy. Finishes with excellent focus, mineral lift and persistence, leaving behind hints of candied lemon, pear nectar and oyster shell. The combination of depth and finesse here is pretty stunning, and I'll bet that this wine will enjoy a very long, smooth aging arc. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€290.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)Inky violet color. Deeply pitched cherry, blueberry, licorice and candied violet aromas are complemented by hints of baking spices, incense and smoky minerals. Succulent and penetrating on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black/blue fruit, spice and floral pastille flavors that become more energetic as the wine slowly stretches out. Weighty and broad yet lively as well, finishing with sharp delineation, mounting tannins and outstanding, floral- and mineral-driven persistence. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 2 | 19++ (MJ) |
In Bond
€280.00 |
|||||
Matthew Jukes (19++)I fell for this wine in a microsecond – the very moment the first molecule of perfume exploded on my receptors. This is a step-change vintage for La Maison Bleue because I have not seen this degree of single-mindedness and overriding intention before in this wine. 2019 La Maison Bleue seems as if it has realised that it does not need to sit behind La Chapelle in Caroline Frey’s portfolio. It signals, loud and clear, that it ought to be seated alongside its more renowned stablemate and be accorded the opportunity to address the masses as an equal, not a subordinate. This is a bold move from this honed, sleek wine. In 2019, with just that little bit more power and ambition under its belt, it has broken free and it looks absolutely sensational. The fruit is regal and layered and the tannins are precision-cut and perfectly positioned making it every inch a superstar. By the end of day five of my tasting these amazing wines, La Maison Bleue seemed as if it were saying, let’s keep going! While this is a ‘finished barrel sample’, this wine wanted to be tested to its limits and I cannot fault its enthusiasm and excellence. You simply must track it down! |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 2 | 18.5+ (MJ) |
In Bond
€440.00 |
|||||
Matthew Jukes (18.5+)With epic balance and stunning poise, La Maison Bleue is a Burgundian-shaped Hermitage in 2020, making it all the more intriguing and memorable. Like the others in this portfolio, the control here is remarkable, and the weight and length are astounding, too. Iodine and menthol hints coupled with garrigue and sanguineous moments add drama and detail to the sleek black core, but this is not an over-ripe or over-enthusiastic wine but a measured and contemplative soul. Delicious. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 1 | 87+ (VN) |
In Bond
€541.00 |
|||||
Vinous (87+)Pale gold color. Peach and citrus hints on the nose, with strong oak notes of smoke and vanilla. Chewy with extract but a bit youthfully aggressive; showing less obvious fruit and sweetness today than the Raymond Roure Crozes bottling, or is it simply a bit overwhelmed by its wood element? With aeration, this showed notes of licorice and Thai basil and the dried nut character of classic traditionally styled white Hermitage. |
|||||||||
|
Rhone | 1 | 92 (WS) |
In Bond
€641.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (92)Has a mix of candied citrus peel, floral, lanolin and fig flavors, with a nicely firm finish. Long and tight, with the citrus and floral notes holding the fruit at bay for now. Needs time to unwind. Best from 2008 through 2013. 25 cases imported. -JM |
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|
Rhone | 1 | 19+ (MJ) |
In Bond
€397.00 |
|||||
Matthew Jukes (19+)There is extraordinary equilibrium in this sensational wine. It is so finely balanced it is baffling, and the depth and richness is offset with the most dramatic acid and strident minerality I have seen in a wine of this style. There are profound meadow-flower and stone fruit flavour here which enchant the senses but they are marshalled brilliantly by the citrus pith and green apple skin raspiness on the finish. This is the most exciting Chevalier I have ever tasted and it rivals the very best whites from this region and others besides. |