Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : Domaine de Saint-Pierre 2000

Tasting characteristics and advice for Domaine de Saint-Pierre 2000 by Paul Jaboulet-Aîné

Tasting

Appearance
The color shows a deep ruby red, reflecting the wine’s concentration and intensity.

Nose
The nose reveals aromas of black fruits, notably blackcurrant and cherry, alongside distinctive peppery and spicy notes. Earthy and mineral nuances add complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate
On the palate, this wine offers a medium body supported by a firm tannic structure. Black fruit flavors dominate, lifted by peppery and spicy touches. The finish lingers with hints of licorice and a bright, tangy freshness that brings balance.

Food and wine pairings

This Cornas pairs ideally with grilled or roasted red meats, notably lamb and beef. It also matches beautifully with cassoulet, mushroom-based dishes, or feathered game. Aged cheeses and certain cured meats also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Domaine de Saint-Pierre 2000 can be enjoyed through around 2020. Decanting for one hour before serving will allow the wine to fully open up and reveal all its aromatic complexity.

A structured, mineral Cornas from the Northern Rhône Valley

The estate

Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet, Paul Jaboulet-Aîné ranks among the most prestigious estates in the Rhône Valley. Since 2006, the property has belonged to the Frey family, with Caroline Frey at its helm as winemaker and winegrower. Today, the estate farms around 125 hectares across the finest appellations of the Northern Rhône. Committed to an exemplary environmental approach, Paul Jaboulet-Aîné has cultivated its entire vineyard biodynamically since 2021 and obtained organic certification in 2016. The House is especially renowned for its iconic Hermitage La Chapelle.

The vineyard

Domaine de Saint-Pierre is located at the top of the Cornas hillside, near a small chapel of the same name, on the eastern slope of the Massif Central. The vineyard benefits from full southern exposure on steep slopes of around twenty degrees. The soils are made up of highly decomposed granite, enriched with limestone and silty deposits, giving the wine its hallmark minerality. The vines, planted in 1954, were between ten and sixty years old at the time of the 2000 vintage harvest.

The vintage

The year 2000 saw a wet spring followed by early flowering in the northern areas. After a relatively cloudy July, dry heat settled in August and extended into September, despite heavy rainfall on August 21. These conditions favored the development of healthy grapes with thick skins and fine tannic concentration. The 2000 vintage proved particularly successful in Cornas, producing generous, complex wines—more extroverted and elegant than the 1998 vintage.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Domaine de Saint-Pierre 2000 were harvested by hand and sorted parcel by parcel in small twelve-kilogram crates. After complete destemming, this Rhône Valley wine underwent three weeks of maceration with daily pump-overs. Aging took place over twelve to eighteen months in French oak barrels, demi-muids, and concrete egg-shaped vats, enabling harmonious integration and the development of aromatic complexity.

Grape variety

100% Syrah