Paul Jaboulet Ainé Hermitage 'La Chapelle' Syrah 2005

Paul Jaboulet Aîné “Hermitage La Chapelle” 2005 - Hermitage, Northern Rhône, France

About The Producer: 

The Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné was created in 1834 through the magical conjunction of a fertile land on a hillside by the Rhone and a family with a passion for winemaking.

Famed through the Hermitage La Chapelle, over the years the Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné took ownership of the finest appellations of the northern Rhone Valley, applying organic and biodynamic principles since taken over by the Frey family, ensuring a legacy in both vineyards and incredible wines.

The Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné was created in 1834 through the magical conjunction of a fertile land on a hillside by the Rhone and a family with a passion for winemaking.

Famed through the Hermitage La Chapelle, over the years the Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné took ownership of the finest appellations of the northern Rhone Valley, applying organic and biodynamic principles since taken over by the Frey family, ensuring a legacy in both vineyards and incredible wines.

A legendary cru… Over centuries, this mythical cru has built its reputation on a single hill, and an epic history. In the beginning, the hill was home to a hermitage founded by Henri Gaspard de Sterimberg in 1224. This knight, returning from the Albigensian Crusade, and weary of bloodshed, asked permission to Blanche of Castille to take refuge from the world on the summit of this granite hill. Soon joined by others, the community began to plant vines… A charming tale, but one that overlooks the fact that the Hermitage owes only its name to the hermit: the vineyard has existed since ancient times with the famous wines of Vienne.

A note about this wine from Robert Parker:

"The best bottle I’ve ever had, the 2005 Hermitage la Chapelle showed much more density and concentration than I recall. Peppery herbs, currants, dried blood and licorice flow beautifully to a medium to full-bodied wine that has lots of tannin, but solid mid-palate depth as well. It has a touch of the savory rusticity found in the 2006, but was still impressive on this occasion. It’s worth noting that both the 2004 and 2005 were blended by Caroline Frey."

What we say:

Deeply respected as one of the Rhône Valley’s great reds, La Chapelle stems from steep granite- and schist-rich slopes overlooking Tain-l’Hermitage and has been elevated to legendary status. The 2005 vintage delivers both richness and elegance: a powerful Syrah with great structure, complexity and cellaring potential.

On the nose you’ll find dense aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, smoked meat, graphite, liquorice and peppery herbs. On the palate it’s full-bodied with intense dark fruit, firm yet polished tannins, refreshing acidity, and a minerally backbone that carries you through a long, savoury finish. It’s already showing maturity yet remains a formidable wine for the cellar.

Grape variety: 100% Syrah

Style: Iconic, age-worthy Northern Rhône red

Drink window: Now-2045+

Perfect for: Game birds, venison, hearty beef dishes, truffles, or fine-wine cellaring for future devotion

A towering Hermitage: legendary site, legendary wine - these slopes speak through every glass.