The King of the Hill Is Back
2017 Paul Jaboulet Aine La Chapelle Hermitage
This is the most important comeback story in the Northern Rhône. For decades, Hermitage La Chapelle was the single most famous wine in the world. Its 1961 vintage remains a $10,000 unicorn. But after years of slipping quality, the estate was rescued by the Frey family. Winemaker Caroline Frey has spent the last decade restoring this icon to its rightful place at the top of the pyramid. The 2017 vintage is the definitive proof of that restoration. Frey transitioned the estate to certified organi…
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99 Points Jeb Dunnuck: Ranked alongside the greatest vintages in the estate's 200-year history.
The Blend of Kings: Composed of the two most famous parcels on the Hermitage hill: Le Méal and Les Bessards.
Jeb Dunnuck: 98; Wine Advocate: 98
Retail
$206.00
Best Online
$149.99
$145.00
Our Price
$61 off
Free shipping on orders over $85
Tasting notes
Aroma
A brooding, high-definition nose of cassis, black olive tapenade, and smoked meat. It opens into complex layers of graphite, cracked pepper, and liquid violet.
Palate
Powerful, dense, and multi-dimensional. The palate is packed with sun-kissed dark fruit and espresso, framed by velvety, super-fine tannins. It possesses a massive, opulent personality but maintains a mineral freshness that keeps it focused. The finish lasts for over a minute.
Red Wine Body Profile
Light
Bold
Body Profile
Deep
84/100 Intensity
Light
Bold
84.0/100
Feather-light
Delicate
Lifted
Structured
Deep
Grapes
100% Syrah
ABV
14.5%
Serving
55–60°F
Window
2025–2060
In Detail
99 Points. Half the price of Chave.
This is the most important comeback story in the Northern Rhône.
For decades, Hermitage La Chapelle was the single most famous wine in the world. Its 1961 vintage remains a $10,000 unicorn. But after years of slipping quality, the estate was rescued by the Frey family. Winemaker Caroline Frey has spent the last decade restoring this icon to its rightful place at the top of the pyramid.
The 2017 vintage is the definitive proof of that restoration. Frey transitioned the estate to certified organic and biodynamic farming, slashed yields, and returned to a traditional blend of the hill’s greatest sites: Le Méal for opulence and Les Bessards for granitic power. The result is a monster of a Hermitage that Jeb Dunnuck rated 99 points, calling it as good as it gets. While other 100-point icons from Chave or Guigal will cost you $400 to $800, this bottle offers the same world-class pedigree for under $200. This is the new golden age of Jaboulet.
