Last night, after having read several highly varying note on the 1989 La Chappelle, we decided to try one with lamb chops. It was the first of six or so bottles that we got from Rare Wine Co. six or seven years ago. We had been told several times that it wasn’t ready to drink yet. Yet several notes I had read over the last month or so ranged from ‘over-the-hill’ to ‘lots of time left’. We very much enjoyed the 1989 Jaboulet Hermitage ‘La Chappelle’. Fill was just under the capsule; cork was lightly saturated just under half-way; color was a deep ruby garnet, with no signs of aging; rich complex nose and flavors of spicy dark berries; balanced mid-palate with rich fruits and adequate acidity, mostly resolved tannins; with a very long complex fruit finish. It still has a long life ahead. Inadequate storage or heat-damage has to explain the 'over-the-hill notes. I’m in no hurry for our next one.
I agree that, with good provenance, good vintages should easily be able to stand well over 20 years. I don’t drink that much Rhône compared to Bdx and Burgundy, but at a relatively recent Paul Jaboulet Aîné dinner with Cristophe Brunet, the '85 was very good. Not tired at all.
Thanks for the note, Dick. The last time I tried one of my bottles, it was definitely too young.
I had one last year, bought on release, and it was terrific… perhaps near the beginning of a long and glorious drinking window… we also had a 67 that was in beautiful shape…
Dick, I don’t think this is isolated to only this vintage, it seems as a producer, this cuvee is all over the map and truly bottle to bottle. I have had the 1989 from earlier releases (which have been spectacular) and ones from the recently refinished bottles (VERY tight and young). I have yet to run in to one that’s over the hill, but also I have not run in to bottles where the provenance was questionable.
I recently had an 88 that was borderline sweet, and might have been exposed to heat, but also recently had an 85 that was vibrant and youthful with bright acidity and lots of charm. I also once bought an 86 that I had no clue of provenance, and the cork crumbled with one tug on the cork screw, and the wine was incredible. Just hard to say with this wine.
I’m one of those people who have had one really pruney bottle and another not quite that bad but overripe and muddled bottle in the past year. Both bottles were bought on release and were from good cellars. Although who knows their fate from before arrival. Whatever the case, really good to know there are great bottles around and I can only hope to try one someday. Thanks for the note on this one, a very good data point.
Cheers,
-Robert
Yes, we liked it. I stated in my original post that we enjoyed it.
Finally got to try the '89 with dinner tonight (among other wines). Like the '85, this is nowhere near tired or over-the-hill. On the contrary, the '89 has a deep, serious, quiet, smoldering warmth and power (much more than the '85). Admirable balance. Very good wine indeed.