Anyone have any thoughts?
Found some at a good price and thinking about pouncing.
Haven’t had it recently but I’m a fan. Bought a bunch while it was running $60.
I have no experience, but Jancis described it as " light and sweet": http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/winenews060128.html
Ive had a few in the last year (check my notes on CT). Give it about 2-3 hours of air (double decant). Lovely wine.
What Faryan says - I’ve really enjoyed good bottles. I’ve also had an extremely high rate of corked bottles.
Matt,
I had a totally satisfying bottle a month or so ago, and got some friends to buy some more. FWIW, I think the '88 is one of the best Northern Rhônes I’ve had (much better, IMO, than Chave’s '88.)
We did a tasting many years ago at Kevin Shin’s condo of several vintages of JHLC including 89/90 and the 61. The 97 was an eye opener for me and was an opulent and enjoyable wine. I bought some (6) after the tasting and have finished off the bottles since.
I last had this multiple times, most recently in Jan. this year. That bottle showed quite well. I would advise though, there is a significant bottle variation with this wine. Previous bottles have showed roasted/pruney notes-possible heat damaged, whereas others have shown closed and muted but not TCA’d as I’m ultra sensitive. The variation with my bottles is puzzling as they were all from the same stash purchase. If the bottle is “on”, it’s a really nice wine. Not overly powerful, but great flavors and balance as a good off vintage can be.
Alright, I am going to bite on a few and see what happens…
I have had the wine a number of times and good ones, say 2 out of 3, can be in the middle 90s. The wine that Bob really loved initially then downgraded.
-
1997 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage (12/16/2011)
Welcoming Craig C to DC - Marks duckhouse Part 2 (Marks duckhouse, Falls Church, Va): This was a sound example of the 97 Chapelle, starting to show some tertiary characters. Mostly ripe black fruit, some olives, leather, smoke. Excellent concentration, sweet fruit, bright acidity and resolved tannins. Lovely showing. (94 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
FWIW, the 2001 is in a great place now and can be found for a great price.
Regards,
Anthony
Alan, we had the 78 not the 61. Don’t go there because if you had the 61, you would have owned a few bottles by now, despite the crazy price! I know someone who owns a bottle. Hi Tom!
This is another wine that demonstrates Bob’s power. They consistently made very good wines although never reach the greatness of the 89 and the 90. With at least ten years of cellaring, the nose always displays smoked meat, steak, leather and tapenade. I just think that this is no longer the style Bob prefers. Sub $100, they are very good buys, IMO.
My bad Kevin. I knew it was expensive and not quite worth the tarrif.
I grabbed the 2005 on closeout for $50 a few years ago…was a great steal…
Forget the Jancis piece. The '97 is a lovely wine, the best I’ve had between the other '90s vintages I’ve tried, '94, '95 and '96. Generally I think '90s Chapelle is undervalued - I wouldn’t deny that certain older vintages can be better, but price differences can be severalfold. I’ve picked up the above in the UK variously from high twenties to mid forties GBP.
had it twice…needs 20 years. Maybe 15.
The 1997 needs 15-20 more years?
Frank,
Since you mentioned, the 97 is ready. I find most of the red rhones pretty accessible throughout their lives except the high end Chapoutiers.
Yes, the '97 is ready and has been drinking well consistently for the last 8 years or so. That said, I am not sure it is quite at peak yet and will hold for many more years in good shape. I am in no hurry to open my remaining bottles.