Paul Jaboulet Aîné La Maison Bleue 2017 The Wine Gate Shop
France

Rhône – Hermitage

Paul Jaboulet Aîné La Maison Bleue 2017

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Ratings

94 100

JAMES SUCKLING

95 100

WA - ROBERT PARKER

The estate

It is in Tain-l'Hermitage that the history of the Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné has its source. It was in 1224 that the knight Henri-Gaspard de Sterimberg, returning from the crusades, established himself as a hermit on the hill, next to a small chapel that has become a myth today.

He planted a few Syrah vines there; a vine resulting from a cross between an Ardèche grape variety, the Dureza, and a Savoyard grape variety, the Mondeuse. Since 1834, the Jaboulet family and then the Frey family have cultivated the vines of this sweetly-sounding cuvée: La Chapelle Hermitage.

The vineyard

Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné, led by oenologist, winemaker and owner Caroline Frey, promotes all the appellations of the Northern Rhône on 120 hectares of vines from Cornas to Côte-Rôtie. In search of the most beautiful expression of wines and strongly committed to the preservation of the soil and the environment, Caroline converted her entire vineyard to organic farming in 2016. A work of patience with the aim of recreating a harmonious balance with nature to serve the wines. Biodynamics is a continuation of this search for harmony.

Numerous tests carried out on the soils, the vine and the wine allow us to observe an improvement in the structure of the soils, an increase in the percentage of mycorrhized roots (fungus that allows the vine to better feed itself with nutrients) and to reduce the doses of sulfur and copper by 30%. In addition, in blind tastings, the wines from biodynamically grown grapes have more freshness and are widely preferred.

The Vintage

Along the rue de la Petite Pierrelle, not far from the stream of Torras and the road where the blackbirds sing, lies the pretty blue house. Leaning against the Hermitage hill, one of the most beautiful vineyards in the world, this small stone house with blue shutters was once a true haven of peace for the winegrowers: a place to work, rest and share in the middle of a legendary terroir. Today, this house of the winegrowers has been given a new lease on life. The winegrowers and their horses take shelter here on occasion. The blue house is still used as a shelter for our grapes to dry the straw wine, when we produce it. And this year, its space will be used to dry plants for biodynamic preparations. A new life in the respect of the traditions.



The particularity of 2017 is its great precocity, which even dethroned 2003. A budburst at the end of March, an irregular flowering, a veraison before the end of the berries' growth, hot and dry conditions, interspersed with saving thunderstorms, resulted in an early harvest characterized by small berries with thick and very healthy skins. In these stressful conditions, only the best terroirs allow the vine to achieve the complete phenolic ripening of the grapes; provided that the viticulture has favored the deep rooting of the vine and the good functioning of the soil. A long term work that makes the difference.

Information

  • Domain Paul Jaboulet Aïné
  • Vineyard Côtes du Rhône Septentrionales
  • Color
    Red
  • Vintage 2017
  • Variety 100% syrah
  • Culture Organic
  • Alcohol degrees14.5°
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Tasting Notes

Eye, bouquet, palate

"Hermitage La Maison Bleue 2017 is an utterly seductive wine, full, velvety and generous without being overly ripe or unstructured. Licorice, black currants and Asian five-spice powder burst from the glass in a complex swirl of scents and flavors. Hailing from the eastern end of the appellation, it offers instant gratification and admirable quality at a fraction of La Chapelle's price."

THE WINE ADVOCATE

Temperature

18°

Drinking window

10 to 25 years

Wine and food pairing