Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné - Saint-Joseph La Croix des Vignes 2013

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

It offers great finesse and complexity, with a spicy character that fully reveals the vineyards’ granite-based terroir, and the grapes exhibit better ripeness than those from the estate’s Cornas wines.

About the estate:

Caroline Frey diligently manages this valley institution. The changes she has implemented have never been more successful, both in the vineyard and in the winery. The red wines are clean, refined, and fresh with fruity aromas, while the whites are crisp and sophisticated. At the top of the range is the legendary Hermitage La-Chapelle, a masterful blend of Méal and Bessards, two of the hill’s most famous slopes.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Another exceptional wine from this estate that stands out for its purity and elegance is the 2013 St Joseph Domaine de Croix de Vignes, which comes from 1.5 hectares of vineyards located just outside Tournon and Mauves. Aged in 20% new French oak, it displays classic notes of black fruit, olive, licorice, smoky earth, and a distinct minerality. Medium-bodied, elegant, and well-balanced with fine tannins, it is already approachable in its youth but has a promising future ahead.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Founded in 1834, Paul Jaboulet Aîné remained a family-owned business until 2006, when it was acquired by the financial firm Frey. In addition to its wine trading business, which has significantly reduced its volumes, “PJA” owns the second-largest vineyard estate in Hermitage. Its 25 hectares (21 of red, four of white) occupy prime locations in Le Méal, Les Greffieux, Les Dionnières, Les Roucoules, and a few plots in Bessards at the far western edge of the hillside. Until the early 1990s, this institution produced some of the world’s most legendary Syrahs, including La Chapelle, a blend of aged Syrahs. Depending on the vintage, between 30,000 and 80,000 bottles of La Chapelle red are produced. Selection is based on the finesse of the tannins and depth. The middle and lower sections of the Méal hillside form the heart of the cuvée. After one year of aging, with 15 to 20% new oak, the less dense lots are set aside and become part of La Petite Chapelle (now called Maison Bleue), to be enjoyed within five to seven years.

Vinous

About the wine:

Bright violet. Vibrant, mineral-driven aromas of black and blue fruit jam, Indian spices, and olive, with a hint of licorice. The concentrated flavors of blackberry and candied cherry, candied violet, and peppery spices are remarkably clear, full-bodied, and powerful. Floral notes enliven the finish, which lingers with excellent persistence and just a hint of fine tannins.

James Suckling

Jeb Dunnuck