1989 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle
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Tasting notes
From Richard Mayson's cellar. Deep garnet with brick rim. Wines getting noticeably darker now as we get to younger vintages. Smells generous and deep. So sweet on the palate. Rich and full of fruit. Chewy but harmonious, with still lots of fruit depth. Powerful rather than elegant. Full-flavoured, deep, maturely harmonious. (JH)
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Darker, more vibrant and more obviously Syrah than the Chapoutier Le Pavillon 1989 tasted alongside (also blind). Quite youthful with a lot of tannin still evident, amazingly. Salty finish and still apparently evolving. (JR)
The 1989 La Chapelle has always shown well, and while it doesn’t match the otherworldly 1990, it offers a sensational drinking experience. Mature notes of black fruits, cured meats, wood smoke, and baking chocolate all flow to a rich, powerful, masculine Hermitage that has a stacked mid-palate and ripe tannins. It’s fully mature yet has the depth and concentration to keep for another decade or more, although there’s no upside here.