Domaine de la Chapelle : La Chapelle Paul Jaboulet-Aîné 2018

Dried fig and cassis are layered with earth, iron and charred mesquite notes in this densely packed red. Delivers dusty tannins with a slightly bitter edge on the nicely structured finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,000 cases imported.

Just 15% new oak, but it is nonetheless quite noticeable (though it should harmonise with time) with good, rich berry fruit underneath. Full-bodied, very much so in fact – real weight here. The alcohol feels somewhat out of balance, and the tannic weight is massive. It feels a touch over-extracted and heavy on the palate; it lacks the lightness of touch of the 2016. There is, however, a good sense of textural finesse, finishing with firm, chewy, slightly drying tannins that will need a good decade to soften.

Seems a little shy at the moment, but you can tell that this has serious poise and pedigree with subtle clove, crushed-brick, iron, black-cherry and plum-skin character. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight and reserved with super refined tannins that are so fine-textured, yet intense. Give this three or four years to show its true self. From organically grown grapes. Better after 2023.

Opaque ruby. Displays powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit preserves, licorice, cola, baking spices and potpourri, along with an exotic suggestion of incense. Utterly stains the palate with intense blackberry, cherry, cassis, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that deliver a suave blend of weight and energy. Youthfully solid tannins add shape and grip to an extremely long, mineral- and floral-accented finish that shows outstanding clarity and dark fruit thrust.

The 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle is a monumental wine that delivers tremendous richness and depth while remaining light on its feet and balanced. The bouquet shows plenty of ripe red and blue fruits along with flowers, smoked meat, licorice, and spice. It’s full-bodied, ripe, powerful yet balanced, with a great finish. Considering some previous showings of this wine, it was surprisingly accessible on this occasion, with a wealth of fruit, sweet tannins, and loads of character. It’s a brilliant wine as well as a magical Hermitage.