Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné - Côte Rôtie Les Pierrelles 2020

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Caroline Frey diligently manages this valley institution. The changes she has undertaken have never been more fruitful, both in the vineyard and in the winery. The red wines are refined, refined and fresh in their fruit flavors, while the whites are fresh and sophisticated. At the top of the range, the mythical Hermitage La Chapelle, a skilful blend of Méal and Bessard, two of the hill's most famous slopes.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

From the southern end of the appellation, the Côte Rôti Les Pierrelles (Domaine) 2020 presents notes of violets and pencil shavings on the nose, then easily evolves to blueberry and blackberry, all underpinned by asphalt and mocha. Medium- to full-bodied, it's a little tight and constrained on the palate at this stage, but has a soft, elegant finish that suggests relatively early drinkability.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Founded in 1834, Paul Jaboulet Aîné remained a family business until 2006, when it was bought out by the Frey finance company. Alongside its trading activity, which has significantly reduced volumes, "PJA" owns the second largest vineyard estate in Hermitage. Its 25 ha (21 reds, four whites) have pride of place in Le Méal, Les Greffieux, Les Dionnières, Les Roucoules and a few Bessards at the far western end of the hillside. Until the early 1990s, this institution produced some of the world's most legendary Syrahs, including La Chapelle, a blend of aged Syrahs. Depending on the vintage, between 30 and 80,000 bottles of La Chapelle red are produced. Selection is based on tannin finesse and depth. The middle and lower slopes of the Méal constitute the heart of the cuvée. After a year's ageing, with 15-20% new barrels, the less dense lots are discarded and enter La Petite Chapelle (now called Maison Bleue), to be drunk within five to seven years.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Opaque ruby. The highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh cherry and dark berries, sandalwood, olive and smoky bacon, as well as a mineral note. Smooth, even and penetrating on the palate, it offers concentrated flavors of boysenberry, cherry-cola and floral pastille, with hints of licorice and vanilla. It plays richness and finesse with a supple hand and finishes impressively long and juicy, with supple tannins on the finish. This 1.5-hectare vineyard, owned by Jaboulet, is located in the southern part of the Côte Blonde, in Tupin-et-Semons.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Very refined nose of blue and black berries with a little bacon fat, spices and candied orange. This tightly structured Côte-Rotie is built to last. Some may find it a little difficult on release, but we love the generous, fine-grained tannins that develop impressively into the imposing, firm finish. Limited production. Made from biodynamically grown grapes.

Jeb Dunnuck