Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné La Chapelle Hermitage 2020 MG

Bottled in an impressive 1.5L magnum, Paul Jaboulet Aîné La Chapelle Hermitage 2020 is a modern release of one of the Rhône Valley’s most storied wines. Sourced from the legendary slopes of Hermitage, this pure Syrah is famed for its depth, complexity, and ability to age gracefully. The 2020 vintage offers all the hallmarks of La Chapelle – dark fruit, mineral tension, and savory nuance – in a slightly more approachable, earlier-drinking style, making it a compelling choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 La Chapelle shows a deep, opaque ruby-purple hue, hinting at both concentration and youth. The nose is immediately complex and evocative, with notes of dark plums and blackberries layered over cedar shavings, crushed stone, graphite, and pencil lead. Subtle tones of mocha, earth, black olive tapenade, and a touch of spice emerge with air, underscoring its Hermitage pedigree. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet relatively open-knit for La Chapelle, with a generous core of dark, plummy fruit framed by fine-grained tannins. Savory nuances of smoked meat, coffee bean, and garrigue weave through the mid-palate, while the mineral, stony character carries into a long, gently persistent finish. Compared to more monumental vintages like 2019, the 2020 shows slightly less density and drive, trading power for earlier charm and accessibility. In magnum, this wine should evolve gracefully over 12–20 years, drinking well in its youth and mid-term but not requiring decades to show its best.

Production
La Chapelle comes from some of Hermitage’s most prized terroirs, including parcels on the steep, south-facing granite and limestone slopes around the historic chapel that gives the wine its name. The thin, poor soils, intense sunshine, and mistral winds create small, concentrated Syrah berries with naturally low yields and pronounced mineral character. Grapes are typically harvested by hand in small crates to preserve fruit integrity, with careful selection in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, often with gentle extraction to capture depth without sacrificing finesse. The wine is then aged in French oak, with a judicious proportion of new barrels, to refine the tannins and add subtle notes of spice and toast while allowing the terroir-driven dark fruit and savory elements to remain at the forefront.

Food & Serving
This Hermitage is a natural match for richly flavored dishes such as roast lamb with rosemary, beef ribeye, venison, or slow-braised short ribs. It also pairs beautifully with game birds, truffle-infused dishes, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or mature cheddar. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. Given its youth and structure, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to allow the wine to open and reveal its aromatic complexity, especially from magnum.

Producer
Founded in 1834, Paul Jaboulet Aîné is one of the great historic names of the Rhône Valley and a benchmark producer for Hermitage. La Chapelle, named after the small chapel of Saint-Christophe that overlooks the hill, has long been considered one of the region’s iconic wines, with legendary vintages from the 20th century cementing its reputation. Under the stewardship of the Frey family since 2006, quality has been elevated through meticulous vineyard work, lower yields, and a focus on sustainable practices. Today, Jaboulet stands as a key reference for both Hermitage and the northern Rhône, crafting wines that balance power, precision, and age-worthiness.

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