Incredible Back vintage Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage direct from the Domaine

1990 La Chapelle – “One of the greatest Hermitages ever made, life is too short not to drink this once in your life!”

It is not an exaggeration to say that old La Chapelle Hermitage from Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné are some of the most storied wines in existence. For two centuries the family honed the land on the Hermitage hill that formerly belonged to the Chevalier de Stérimberg, following his return from the Crusades in the 13th Century. Their fabled 1961 is one of the most mythical bottles of the 20th century. While that unicorn is seldom, if ever seen, we have the great privilege to offer good volumes of an array of incredible back vintages (1985, 1991 and the coveted 1990) direct from the Domaine.

The 1990 vintage was stellar in the Northern Rhone, especially for Jaboulet. Robert Parker had the foresight to call it “the modern-day equivalent of the 1961”. Jeb Dunnuck went a step further when tasting it alongside the `61, saying, “The 1990 Hermitage La Chapelle lived up to its reputation on this occasion, and of the three titans (1990, 1978, and 1961) it was probably my favorite”. Antonio Galloni agrees that the 1990 is a likely contender to supplant the 1961 in years to come, stating, after tasting it at a party in 2010 that, “these were four of the greatest wines I have ever tasted. The 1990 La Chapelle held its own in this grouping, and then some. The purity of the fruit and the wine’s finish were mind-bending.”

Jaboulet’s 85 and 91 are both stellar wines, but perhaps lack the ability to age indefinitely. They are both in a wonderful, mature stage of their evolution, ready to be appreciated. Please see Jeb Dunnuck’s critic notes for the 1990, 1991 and 1985 below. This is a rare opportunity to purchase perfect provenance, mature stocks, direct from the estate.

“I’ve been lucky enough to drink probably a case of the 1990 Hermitage La Chapelle, and it’s always either rated pure perfection or just off that magical number. On this occasion, it tasted like a newly released wine and offered incredible purity and freshness in its crème de cassis, crushed rocks, spring flowers, chocolate, and smoke meat aromas and flavors. Deep, brilliantly concentrated, yet also elegant and seamless, it’s just now starting to show hints of secondary aromas and is going to be incredibly long-lived. One of the greatest Hermitages ever made, life is too short not to drink this once in your life!” 100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (Tasted March 2019)

“The 1991 Hermitage La Chapelle is now fully mature and a classy, elegant La Chapelle with lots to love, although it's not getting any better and has been in its peak drinking window for over 10-15 years now. Revealing a healthy dark plum hue with solid bricking at the rim, it has a great nose of ripe black fruits, cured meats, baking spices, subtle soy, game, and hints of chocolate. Just classic La Chapelle aromatically, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, a plush, soft texture, and outstanding length. From a year that saw a great growing season that was capped by bad weather at harvest, this justifiably lives in the shadow of the 1990 but is nevertheless a gorgeous wine. this beauty will continue drinking nicely for another 8-10 years, although as I said, there's no need to delay gratification and if you have them, find something to celebrate and enjoy.” 92 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (Tasted June 2022)

“I love the 1985 Hermitage La Chapelle, and readers looking for a fully mature, seamless Hermitage drinking at point can’t go wrong here. Ruby/plum-colored, with complex notes of dried herbs, smoked meats, Asian spices, and assorted mature fruits all flow to a medium to full-bodied Hermitage that has beautiful overall balance, a seamless texture, and a great finish. Purity, focus, and elegance are the buzzwords here. Drink ‘em if you have ‘em.” 95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (Tasted March 2019)