Domaine de la Chapelle : La Chapelle 2016

Sourced from the granitic western portion of the appellation, the 2016 Hermitage La Chapelle features mouthwatering aromas of black olives and charred beef. It's full-bodied and creamy-velvety in texture, incredibly lush without being overtly fruity. In fact, it's largely savory, with elegant shadings of leather and spice on the long, silky finish. Yet despite being delicious now, this still has the granite backbone to age through 2040.

Features a solid core of gently crushed plum, fig and blackberry fruit flavors, with sweet tobacco, warm tar and melted licorice notes underscoring the finish. Polished and focused, with good length, but this remains shy on energy and vibrancy, ending with a slightly taut twinge of herb and cedar. Best from 2021 through 2030. 100 cases imported.

A little closed to begin with, it is very young after all, but then with time started to exude some just-ripe blackberry and smoky spice. On the palate this has great freshness and poise, there's nothing excessive or forced, it's well balanced with seamless fine tannin and good acidity. This makes for a Hermitage that you could open early if you wanted, but I would hold on to this until at least 2028 ideally to see it gain further complexity. From 45 to 90-year-old vines across lieux-dits Les Roucoules, Le Méal, Les Greffieux, Les Bessards and Varogne. Aged in French oak barrels, 20% new.

A profound nose of dark cherries, blackberries, black olives, earth, dried herbs, grilled meat, some leather and lots of baking spices. Ample and voluptuous with a full body complemented by fine, firm tannins. Layered with a fine, velvety texture. Harmonious, spicy and focused with a restrained character. Funnelled long finish. Drink or hold.

Inky ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, exotic spices, cured tobacco, olive and potpourri are given vivacity by a smoky mineral nuance. Fresh and expansive in the mouth, displaying deeply concentrated boysenberry and cherry liqueur flavors, along with suggestions of candied violet, star anise and bitter chocolate. The floral and mineral notes return on the strikingly long, penetrating finish, which features harmonious tannins and a sweet touch of candied licorice.

Concentrated, deep, dark, vibrant, fresh, and loaded from top to bottom with smoky black, red, and blue fruits, thyme, cocoa, and an array of spices. Full-bodied, long, rich, crisp, tannic, and structured to age, this is clearly on the road to greatness if you have just a bit of patience. Drink from 2030–2055.

The 2016 Hermitage La Chapelle is also brilliant, and certainly up with the crème de la crème in the vintage. Textbook notes of mulled dark fruits, currants, peppery herbs, smoked meat, licorice, and soy give way to a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, ripe, seamless wine that doesn't have the density of the 2015, but certainly isn't far off. It's still a baby, yet offers pleasure, and it's going to shine for 30 years or more.

Charming nose, more seductive than on maison-bleue, a mix of wild berry fruit salad and sweet spices, with a discreet yet elegant hint of vanilla. The palate has a silky touch, the tannins are well built, with a beautiful velvety texture that’s highly appealing. It seems more open than maison-bleue at this stage, but don’t be swayed by the small talk—hold back a little.

The 2016 shows signs of blossoming; in other words, it indicates that it is approachable, at least on the nose. Subtle spicy and smoky nuances underscore the precision of the bouquet, while the tannins carry the power on the palate. This is not at the expense of finesse, as the balance between freshness and vigor is perfectly achieved. A wine of character that deserves a spell in a decanter before serving.