Hermitage 'La Chapelle'		1983	P. Jaboulet

8/98. Bought in auction Apr-96 for $91 (imported for $107 net).
It has been over two years since I last tasted this magnificent wine. I remember R. Parker initially marked this wine very high but later have downgraded it significantly. To find out why, I decided to open my last bottle tonight, to accompany a fantastic Friday night dinner for two at home.
Dinner included: Sauteed veal brain on a bed of Calvados-soaked fried apples for first course, whole duck roasted in chili soy and honey with rice lychees and cherries for main, and fresh mango for dessert.
COLOR: Medium-dark deep red, paling a little towards the rim. Noticeable 'legs' and some sediment at the bottom.
NOSE: Profound! Black-currents, cassis, chocolate. Floral and even tar tones. Not a hint of rot or vegetative aromas. Deep, rich, complex and totally enticing.
TASTE: Mouth-filling if ever a wine deserved this adjective! So full and rich on the palate. Simply owe inspiring. Multitude of mature black fruit flavors, tons of winyness, discernible soft tannins countered by good acidity and an endless sweetish finish. A giant wine in all respects.
LENGTH: Extremely long and truly great aftertaste, where the touch of tannins at the end of the sip gives way to a sweet and tasty finish.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Full bodied in the best Rhone sense. Plenty of everything. From the depth and complexity of the taste, to the grip, structure and balance. As Dorit said during the main course, with the delicious and flavorful duck corse, this 'La Chapelle' was simply Beethoven 9th symphony.
OVERALL: Extraordinary!! Ready now to show what it has, but enough stuffing to sustain at least another 5-8 years of pleasure (and probably more). No idea what bothered Mr. Parker...
MARK: 19/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.

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Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.