Hermitage La Chapelle, Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aine 1988

The 1988 La Chapelle from Paul Jaboulet Âiné is one of the excellent and often overlooked vintages of this outstanding Hermitage from the decade of the 1980s. This most recent bottle was outstanding and fully into its apogee of peak drinkability, wafting from the glass in a complex and classic aromatic blend of black raspberries, cassis, pepper, hot stones, black olive, grilled meats, cigar ash and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, fullbodied and à point, with a lovely core of fruit, superb focus and balance, melting tannins and excellent length and grip on the beautifully resolved finish. A classic year of La Chapelle with decades of life still ahead of it. 2019-2050.

Deep garnet with brick rim. Very rich on the nose. Rich in fruit but meaty, too. Fragrant with undergrowth. Juicy, fresh and so full of life for a wine of this age. Bright and still big and chewy. Lots of pleasure in a such a mature wine. Drink 2000-2035.