Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné - Hermitage Chevalier de Sterimberg 2018

Name: Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné - Hermitage Chevalier de Sterimberg 2018
Brand: Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné
Rating: 4.6 (17 reviews)

Hermitage|White wine|Organic

Rhône

White

Sold individually

Drink or Keep

4.6/5 (17 customers)

95/100

Robert Parker

94+/100

Jeb Dunnuck

94/100

James Suckling

94/100

Vinous

marsanne

roussanne

poultry

risotto

rarity

"[...] A blend of two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne, made mainly in concrete eggs but with a few 600-liter demi-muids in the mix, it offers aromas of roasted cashews alongside ripe pear, melon and even peach. Medium- to full-bodied, it's luxurious on the palate - generous yet structured, with a long, long finish of citrus and stones." (Wine Advocate 2021)

Features

Estate

Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné

Cuvée

Chevalier de Sterimberg

Vintage

2018

Designation

Hermitage

Region

Rhône

Grape varieties

Encépagement : 70% Marsanne, 30% Roussanne

Terroirs

Clayey-limestone and sandy-stony soils on sloping hillsides bring complexity and elegance to Hermitage whites.

Viticulture

Certified organic

Harvest

Manual

Winemaking

Traditional on fine lees, after alcoholic fermentation in barrels and ovoid concrete vats, the lees are regularly stirred into suspension by stirring during the 8 to 10 months of ageing.

Breeding

In demi-muids

Alcohol content

13%

Organic

Yes

Tasting & pairing

Eye

Bright yellow

Nose

Very fresh, with notes of peach and pear

Mouth

Concentrated, ripe and juicy, combining sweetness and unctuous fruit pulp. Long finish with notes of white pear and melon. Very homogeneous.

Serve

AT 12-14°C

Drink before

2040

Guard

6 to 25 years

Food and wine pairing

Sublimate a risotto of saffron-flavored scallops, a creamy Bresse poularde, a braised sweetbread, characterful cheeses...

Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné

More information on Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné

Hermitage

More information on Hermitage

Expert opinion

Bettane & Desseauve

Domaine rated (guide 2023) 4*Stars (Top-quality producers, the glories of French winegrowing)

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

Rated (guide 2021) 95/100 (Extraordinary wine)

Domaine noté (guide 2022) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)

About the wine:

There hasn't been a La Chapelle Blanc since 2014, because Caroline Frey hasn't found the special terrain that justifies such an exalted designation. Fans of her whites have to make do with wines like the 2018 Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg. A blend of two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne, made mainly in concrete eggs but with a few 600-liter demi-muids in the mix, it offers aromas of toasted cashews alongside ripe pear, melon and even peach. Medium to full-bodied, it's luxurious on the palate - generous yet structured, with a long, long finish of citrus and stones.

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

Estates rated 1*Star (Stars in the making or quality winegrowers with good production levels, you won't be disappointed when you taste the wines from these estates)

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 its 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

Rated 94/100

Rated domain (guide 2022) Recommended

James Suckling

Wine rated (2019 guide) 94/100

Rated domain (guide 2022) Recommended

About the wine:

A blend of two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne, aged in demi-muids. Very fresh aromas of peach and pear with a concentrated, ripe, juicy palate that offers glycerol and smooth fruit flesh. Long finish with pear, white peach and melon. Very homogeneous. Enjoy or keep.

Jeb Dunnuck

Rated 94+/100

Rated domain (guide 2022) Recommended

Customer reviews

Customer rating

4.6/5

out of 17 reviews

Note and review by M. JEAN-MARC D. Published on 13/11/2022

This is one of the great hermitages. This is a wine of great finesse, never overly woody or overly opulent. It has notes of fresh fruit, white flowers and almond. It's fine, subtle and obviously still very tight, almost closed. Absolutely waiting to be fully enjoyed.