Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné La Chapelle Hermitage 2020 DBMG

Paul Jaboulet Aîné La Chapelle Hermitage 2020 in a rare 3L double magnum is a modern release of one of the Rhône Valley’s most legendary wines. Sourced from the iconic slopes of Hermitage, this pure Syrah marries dark, plum-driven fruit with the hallmark mineral and savory complexity that has made La Chapelle a collector’s benchmark for decades. Presented in large format, it’s ideal for the cellar or for opening on special occasions where you want a truly grand bottle on the table.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 La Chapelle Hermitage shows a deep, opaque ruby-purple hue, hinting at its concentration. The nose is refined and complex rather than showy: notes of cedar, crushed stones, and pencil shavings frame a core of dark plum and black cherry, with layers of mocha, earth, and black olives adding an unmistakably Northern Rhône, savory character. On the palate, it is full-bodied and polished, with a generous but not heavy texture. The dark fruit is ripe yet controlled, supported by fine-grained tannins and a mineral backbone. Compared with more powerful vintages like 2019, the 2020 shows a slightly more open, approachable profile and a touch less drive and density on the finish, making it attractive in its relative youth. In this double magnum format, it should evolve gracefully over 15–25 years, gaining tertiary notes of leather, game, and dried herbs as it matures.

Production
La Chapelle comes from some of the most revered parcels on the Hermitage hill, including sites with steep, granitic slopes, stony terraces, and well-drained soils that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavor. The terroir combines granite, clay-limestone, and alluvial deposits, giving both power and finesse to the Syrah. Grapes are carefully hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, with strict selection in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only the best fruit is used. Vinification typically involves traditional Rhône methods: destemming according to vintage conditions, temperature-controlled fermentation to preserve aromatic precision, and gentle extraction to build structure without harshness. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, with a judicious proportion of new wood, allowing the spice, cedar, and mocha nuances to integrate with the fruit without overshadowing the expression of Hermitage’s terroir.

Food & Serving
This 2020 La Chapelle Hermitage pairs beautifully with roasted or braised lamb, beef ribeye, venison, or game birds, as well as rich dishes featuring wild mushrooms, black olives, or truffles. It also complements aged hard cheeses such as Comté or mature cheddar, and charcuterie with a savory, earthy profile. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal balance. Given its youth and structure, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended now to allow the cedar, stone, and dark fruit notes to fully open, while older bottles in future years can be decanted more gently to separate from any sediment.

Producer
Founded in 1834, Paul Jaboulet Aîné is one of the historic great names of the Rhône Valley and a reference point for Hermitage. La Chapelle, named after the small chapel of Saint-Christophe that overlooks the vineyards on the hill, has long been considered one of the world’s great Syrah wines, with legendary vintages from the mid-20th century cementing its reputation. Under the stewardship of the Frey family and winemaker Caroline Frey, Jaboulet has undergone a notable qualitative renaissance, with a strong focus on vineyard health, lower yields, and precision winemaking. Today, La Chapelle remains a flagship of the Northern Rhône, prized by collectors and enthusiasts for its ability to translate the singular Hermitage terroir into wines of depth, complexity, and long-lived elegance.

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