2009 Hermitage La Chapelle, Paul Jaboulet Aine

A profound, statuesque Hermitage from one of the Rhône’s most storied hillsides, the 2009 La Chapelle opens with an almost architectural sense of depth. Black cherry compote, blackberry pastille and wild blueberry roll out in dark, glossy layers, lifted by violets, smoked tea and a haunting whiff of incense rising from the glass. There’s that unmistakable Hermitage graphite too, cool, mineral, stony, weaving through warmer notes of cured meat, black pepper and sweet spice.

On the palate it is both powerful and composed, the kind of Syrah that feels carved rather than made. Silky tannins wrap around dense, slow-moving fruit, while savoury undertones of tapenade, roasted herbs and charred earth add gravitas. The 2009 vintage brings generosity and warmth, but La Chapelle’s signature structure keeps everything poised, long and resonant. The finish hums with dark fruit, iron-rich minerality and a lingering echo of spice, a reminder that this is one of the great names of the Rhône, built to unfold for decades.

For when: the evening calls for something majestic, contemplative, and quietly unforgettable.
Pairs with: slow-roasted lamb, venison, truffle dishes, or fire-charred aubergine.
If this wine were a landmark: a cathedral carved into the hillside, timeless, commanding, and full of stories still to be told.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné is one of the Rhône Valley’s defining houses, founded in 1834 and guardian of the legendary Hermitage hill. Under the stewardship of the Frey family, the estate has returned to its former glory, farming organically and biodynamically with meticulous precision. La Chapelle, sourced from mythical lieux-dits such as Le Méal, Les Bessards and Les Greffieux, is their crown jewel, a wine capable of breathtaking longevity. Few bottles capture Hermitage’s power, purity and sense of place quite like this.