Robert Parker Score: 92

Region: Rhone

District: Hermitage/Crozes-Hermitage

Type: Still Wine

Color: Red

Varietal: Syrah

Vintage: 2009

Size: 750ML

Brand: See more from Maison Paul Jaboulet

Sku: 140430

Price: $129.99

Quantity:   

Product Information:

"One needs no further evidence of the extraordinary turn around in the quality of the Jaboulet wines than what proprietress Caroline Frey has accomplished in 2009 as well as 2010. As I indicated last year, this is one of the great qualitative turn arounds in the wine world. It is welcomed by all wine lovers given the historic legacy of the wines of Jaboulet and the importance of this famous firm in all of France. Ms. Frey, who is also responsible for the brilliant wines produced at La Lagune in Bordeaux, has reduced the amount of new oak for the red wines to about 20% and to negligible proportions for the whites. A second wine of Hermitage, La Petite Chapelle, is fashioned from 33% or more of the production that is culled out to guarantee that the great reputation of the Hermitage La Chapelle has enjoyed over the last century is maintained." Robert Parker

Robert Parker can't seem to stop singing the praises of the work Caroline Frey has done at Jaboulet. And with good reason. This once great estate is back on top and should be rocketing into collector's cellars, making this the ideal time to stock up. These 2009 Hermitages are from "the greatest vintage at Jaboulet since 1990" according to Parker. He continues: "If you have been off the Jaboulet bandwagon over the last decade or so, now is the time to jump back on..."

Parker Review:
The 2009 Hermitage La Petite Chapelle is better than some of the Hermitage La Chapelles made in the last days of the Jaboulet administration. Its dense purple color is accompanied by aromas of meat, cassis, blackberries and camphor. The wine is supple, luscious, sexy and ideal for drinking over the next 10-15 years.