100 points and 'Top 50 Red Wine of 2018 (#37),' Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, and a legendary wine in the making, the 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is reminiscent of the 1990 with its full-bodied, opulently, sexy, yet concentrated style. Offering sensational notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, beef blood, and chocolate, it’s a huge yet elegant wine that has masses of sweet tannin, incredible purity and finesse, and a killer finish. It’s the finest wine from this estate in close to 30 years. Hats off to Caroline Fray and Jacques Desvernois! Drink: 2026-2066. (1/24/18)"
98 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is one of the estate’s finest recent efforts. It’s packed with firm tannins and will need to be lost in the cellar for a decade, but it will reward those with patience. Richly concentrated and full-bodied, it hits all the expected notes--cassis, black olive, smoke, crushed stone, pencil shavings and espresso--then finishes long, with an aristocratic sense of reserve and austerity. Winemaker Jacques Devernois compares it to a woman’s black dress, meaning it speaks of elegance and class. Drink: 2027-2050. (Dec 2017)"
96-98 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "(20% new oak): Dark purple. Explosive, mineral-accented scents of ripe dark berries, licorice, incense, vanilla and exotic spices, with a smoky nuance in the background. Deeply concentrated yet strikingly lively and precise on the palate, offering intense, finely detailed black and blue fruit, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that are complemented by hints of olive, allspice and star anise. Offers an uncanny blend of richness and finesse, with no rough edges. Shows remarkable energy and thrust on the endless finish which features supple tannins that add shape and gentle grip. This is one of the finest examples of young La Chapelle that I have ever tasted from barrel, and that includes the legendary 1989, 1990 and 1991 trio. If you love northern Rhône wines this one really shouldn't be missed. (Apr 2017)"
97 points James Suckling: "A majestic and brooding nose with dark stone fruits, wet black stones, pepper and brown spices as well as some dark chocolate and meaty notes, and fresh truffle-like earthiness, too. The palate draws deep and even with effortless power. Seamless. Extremely focused and long fine tannins. Hints of high cocoa chocolate. The acidity is stunning. This is flawless Hermitage. Drink 2023 and beyond. (1/7/18)"
96 points Tim Atkin, MW: "100% Syrah. Lieux-dits Le Méal, Les Bessards, Les Rocoules, aged for 15-18 months in barriques, 20% new. Gently resinous nose, with damson, black plum and ripe blackberry. Very ripe, intense, with a swathe of mouthcoating ripe tannin and inky fruit. Good sense of harmony and a straight style that finishes long. The overall impression is impressive; great harmony, power and freshness combine to create the best La Chapelle in a long time. 2025-2040."
98 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is one of the estate’s finest recent efforts. It’s packed with firm tannins and will need to be lost in the cellar for a decade, but it will reward those with patience. Richly concentrated and full-bodied, it hits all the expected notes--cassis, black olive, smoke, crushed stone, pencil shavings and espresso--then finishes long, with an aristocratic sense of reserve and austerity. Winemaker Jacques Devernois compares it to a woman’s black dress, meaning it speaks of elegance and class. Drink: 2027-2050. (Dec 2017)"
96-98 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "(20% new oak): Dark purple. Explosive, mineral-accented scents of ripe dark berries, licorice, incense, vanilla and exotic spices, with a smoky nuance in the background. Deeply concentrated yet strikingly lively and precise on the palate, offering intense, finely detailed black and blue fruit, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that are complemented by hints of olive, allspice and star anise. Offers an uncanny blend of richness and finesse, with no rough edges. Shows remarkable energy and thrust on the endless finish which features supple tannins that add shape and gentle grip. This is one of the finest examples of young La Chapelle that I have ever tasted from barrel, and that includes the legendary 1989, 1990 and 1991 trio. If you love northern Rhône wines this one really shouldn't be missed. (Apr 2017)"
97 points James Suckling: "A majestic and brooding nose with dark stone fruits, wet black stones, pepper and brown spices as well as some dark chocolate and meaty notes, and fresh truffle-like earthiness, too. The palate draws deep and even with effortless power. Seamless. Extremely focused and long fine tannins. Hints of high cocoa chocolate. The acidity is stunning. This is flawless Hermitage. Drink 2023 and beyond. (1/7/18)"
96 points Tim Atkin, MW: "100% Syrah. Lieux-dits Le Méal, Les Bessards, Les Rocoules, aged for 15-18 months in barriques, 20% new. Gently resinous nose, with damson, black plum and ripe blackberry. Very ripe, intense, with a swathe of mouthcoating ripe tannin and inky fruit. Good sense of harmony and a straight style that finishes long. The overall impression is impressive; great harmony, power and freshness combine to create the best La Chapelle in a long time. 2025-2040."
| Product SKU | 332294 |
| Producer | Jaboulet Aîné |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône |
| SubRegion | Northern Rhône |
| Appellation | Hermitage |
| Varietal | Syrah/Shiraz |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | Red |
| Ships To |
