1996 Hermitage La Chapelle from Jaboulet Aine
Posted: 22:50 Sat 01 Apr 2017
Hermitage La Chapelle from Jaboulet Aine 1996. A bin end from the Wine Society @ £60. Mature red colour. Initially on decanting this smelt rather sulphurous but a couple of hours in the decanter allowed the bottle stink to blow off and to be replaced by a deep nose of stewed fruit and violets. The slightly dirty fruit sits on the palate, but grows and allows layer after layer of flavour to come through; full of savoury meat juices and backed by refined but still substantial tannin. The aftertaste is full of bruised orange and the finish is full of flavour and of generous length. I suspect that this wine is now as good as it will ever be - and that's pretty darn good. 94/100. Opened 31-Mar-17. Decanted 2 hours.