2015 - Hermitage La Chapelle Rouge, Paul Jaboulet Aine

The 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle is one of the estate’s finest recent efforts. It’s packed with firm tannins and will need to be lost in the cellar for a decade, but it will reward those with patience. Richly concentrated and full-bodied, it hits all the expected notes—cassis, black olive, smoke, crushed stone, pencil shavings and espresso—then finishes long, with an aristocratic sense of reserve and austerity. Winemaker Jacques Devernois compares it to a woman’s black dress, meaning it speaks of elegance and class.

The medium- to full-bodied 2015 Hermitage La Chapelle unwinds with expressive rose petal, crushed violets, black pepper, licorice and ripe blackberry. Wafts of graphite, cedar and tobacco add more layers. Polished tannins neatly frame this concentrated La Chapelle that demands at least four more years in bottle.

Quite a black tinge to a very deep crimson. Looks more youthful than the Attunga 2015. It's also more restrained on the nose with some oak.  Dry finish. A little tight on the end. Not ready. Less obviously appealing than the richer Attunga 1865. (JR)