The 2011 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle Syrah is a noteworthy wine from the esteemed Hermitage appellation in Northern Rhone, France. Produced by Paul Jaboulet Aine, this vintage displays the robust characteristics typical of a well-crafted Syrah.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 97 points, highlighting its "gorgeous intensity of plum, spice and grilled meat on the nose" and describing it as "full and powerful with chewy tannins and a long, long finish." He predicts that it "needs to be aged for at least another five or six years," likening it to the acclaimed 1991 vintage.
Wine & Spirits, in their review, recognized the wine's "monumental and real" nature, attributing its complexity to the old vines from prestigious parcels like Les Bessards and Le Méal. They noted its "chewy and ferrous" characteristics, with an "animal grip" and a distinctive "bacon-fat scent."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also praised this vintage, granting it a score of 95. Jeb Dunnuck, writing for the publication, appreciated its "sunnier, perfumed style" and the presence of "black raspberry, crushed rocks, olive and licorice." He remarked on its "sweetly fruited" profile and longevity, predicting it could last "for 20+ years."
Jeb Dunnuck, in a separate review, gave it 94 points, emphasizing its "sun-kissed notes of ripe red and black fruits, peppery herbs, sandalwood, fennel, and exotic spices." He commended its "elegant, seamless mouthfeel" and predicted further evolution over the next two decades.
Decanter, while giving it a 92, noted its "remarkably mature" profile with "earthy" and "dense black fruits" but cautioned about its "lean towards overextraction in 2011."
Overall, the 2011 La Chapelle is a powerful, complex wine with great aging potential, celebrated for its rich flavors and impressive structure.
