Lot presentation

Hermitage La Petite Chapelle Paul Jaboulet Ainé (no reserve) 2003

The wine

La Petite Chapelle is a blend of different, separately-vinified parcels from the hill of Hermitage. This cuvée is matured in oak barrels (with 20% new wood) for 12 months, which is a little shorter than La Chapelle; it is also produced from younger vines than its elder sibling, with higher yields. This wine has aromas of sweet spices, ripe fruit and peony notes. The powerful palate offers vegetal, milky notes.

About the Producer Paul Jaboulet Aîné

Antoine Jaboulet set up his winemaking business Tain-l’Hermitage in 1834. He was succeeded by his sons, Paul and Henri, who in turn passed the baton to Paul’s son Louis. Next came Louis’s son Gérard and then, in 1997, Gérard’s cousin, Michel Jaboulet. He ran the domain until 2006 when it was bought by the Frey Group, which also owns vineyards in Champagne and Bordeaux (Château la Lagune). The heritage is nothing short of exceptional: 125 hectares of vines, including 25 gracing the slopes of the famous Hermitage Hill, the second-largest vineyard on this prestigious terrain. Several other remarkable appellations complete the selection: Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu. Today, with oenologist Caroline Frey at the helm, this already well-established estate, is confidently regaining its outstanding status.
In 2013, Maison Jaboulet officially converted its vineyards to organic practices. By 2015, the domain received “High Environmental Value” certification. Accreditations aside, the domain’s ambition to elevate the unique characteristics of the diverse Rhône terroirs remains unchanged. It achieves this goal by preserving the quality of the fruit, through meticulous vinification, and attentive ageing.

Detailed characteristics