Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle 2009

Wine Advocate Parker:

As I wrote last year, the 2009 Hermitage La Chapelle is easily the greatest, most profound La Chapelle since the 1990. Most of this cuvee comes from Le Meal and Les Bessards vineyards, with a touch of Les Roucoules fruit in the blend. It is an opaque purple-colored wine with enormous concentration in addition to an extraordinary bouquet of graphite, creme de cassis, blackberries, licorice, beef blood and a touch of smoked game. Boasting phenomenal intensity, a full-bodied mouthfeel and 50 years of longevity, the only thing that could possibly hold it back is that most consumers should plan on laying it away for 8-10 years.

James Suckling:

Lots of ripe fruit in this, with plum and blackberry character. Very floral and fresh with citrus undertones, dried meats and smoke. Full body with an incredible texture of ultra-fine tannins, and length and beauty. This is like the unrated, incredible 1959. Incredible harmony and beauty. I am speechless. Drink or hold. This will be wonderful for ever.

Jeb Dunnuck:

It will be thrilling to follow the 2009 and 2010 la Chapelles over the coming 40-50 years. Much more sexy, voluptuous and layered than the 2010, the 2009 Hermitage la Chapelle offers sensational levels of extract and concentration to go with notes of cassis, black raspberries, coffee bean, toasted bread and sweet spice. Beautifully pure, layered, and yet massively endowed, with sweet tannin, it will be drinkable at an earlier age than the 2010, but I suspect will be just as long lived. It's a true tour de force in Hermitage!