The 2020 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage Maison Bleue is a Syrah from the Hermitage appellation in the Northern Rhone region of France. With an alcohol content of 15.5% and sealed with a cork, this red wine showcases the craftsmanship of producer Paul Jaboulet Aine. Let's delve into its characteristics and the reviews it has garnered from various wine critics.

Starting with its composition, the wine is described as medium to full-bodied with a harmonious and fresh aromatic profile. Decanter magazine awarded it a score of 92, noting its "classy, fresh and aromatic display," and highlighting its "fine tannins" and "well-integrated oak." According to Decanter, it exhibits a long finish, albeit with a slightly warming palate.

Jeb Dunnuck, who scored the wine 93, praised its "classic, elegant, charming effort" and remarked on its "beautiful dark, almost blue fruits" along with nuances of "violet, graphite, and chocolate." Dunnuck emphasized its "round, supple, sexy style" and predicted it would benefit from 2-4 years of aging, evolving over 15+ years.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, giving it a score of 94, noted that the 2020 vintage is "just a step behind the La Chapelle." Reviewer Joe Czerwinski described it as expressing "the non-granitic side of Hermitage, in its opulent fruit and early accessibility." He highlighted flavors of "ripe cherries and raspberries," and mentioned a "creamy-textured finish" with supple tannins.

James Suckling also rated it 94, describing an "intense nose" with dark notes of "blackberries, dark plums, mocha, stones, bark and hints of grilled herbs and undergrowth." He found it to be "full-bodied with fine tannins," and characterized it as "restrained and ample with layers and texture," with a "dense core of dark fruits" and a long finish featuring "bitter chocolate and spices."

Vinous gave the highest score, ranging between 93-95 points, with Josh Raynolds describing it as "highly fragrant" with scents of "cherry and black raspberry" and hints of "pipe tobacco, olive, peony and baking spices." He praised its "juicy and energetic" nature, noting flavors of "red and blue fruit, floral pastille, smoky bacon and spicecake" that become sweeter towards the end. The finish was described as "mineral- and spice-accented" with remnants of "mocha and allspice."

Overall, the 2020 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage Maison Bleue is a well-regarded Syrah that offers a complex and layered tasting experience, praised for its balance, aromatic profile, and long-term aging potential.