The hot summer with some rain in '88 made thick full-bodied reds. This is no exception. Still young and closed with tough and chewy tannins with the terroir expressing a mineral lead pencil and iron-tasting quality. Layered with Hermitage character. Connoisseurs will appreciate it now; others might cellar.--La Chapelle vertical. Best from 2005 through 2020. 8850 cases made. -PM

This was the first vintage in the vertical tasting of La Chapelle that is beginning to reveal considerable secondary nuances and color development. Opaque purple/garnet with a touch of amber at the edge this sexy rich effort is more pleasurable aromatically than on the palate. However it possesses multiple dimensions as well as abundant aromas of cedar damp forest spice box and Asian spices.The soaring bouquet suggested the wine was more mature in flavor than it turned out to be. The wine is dense with a firm noticeably tannic edge full body and concentrated powerful flavors. It is a classy understated La Chapelle that requires another 5-6 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025