The 2003 Hermitage la Chapelle is a stunner! From a scorching-hot year that may never be repeated, this behemoth took two months to ferment dry and hit 14.1% natural alcohol. In addition, while in a big year they can produce 80,000 to 90,000 bottles (or more in the case of the 2000), they only made 50,000 bottles of the '03. Locked and loaded with notions of plums, Asian spice, olive tapenade and sweet cassis, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a massive mid-palate and layers of sweet tannin. This blockbuster is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and will drink beautifully for another 15-20 years.

The finest example of this cuvee since 1990, the 2003 Hermitage La Chapelle (50,000 bottles rather than the normal 96,000+ were produced) possesses an inky/purple color as well as a tremendous bouquet of creme de cassis, crushed flowers, truffles, and licorice. Full-bodied and powerful (15% natural alcohol) with good freshness and definition, this big, rich, dense, reassuringly great La Chapelle should be cellared for 5-8 years, and drunk over the following 20-25. Importer: Frederick Wildman, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700

The finest example of this cuvee since 1990, the 2003 Hermitage La Chapelle (50,000 bottles rather than the normal 96,000+ were produced) possesses an inky/purple color as well as a tremendous bouquet of creme de cassis, crushed flowers, truffles, and licorice. Full-bodied and powerful (15% natural alcohol) with good freshness and definition, this big, rich, dense, reassuringly great La Chapelle should be cellared for 5-8 years, and drunk over the following 20-25.
-Wine Advocate #163 Feb 2006

(92-96 pts)
There are 45,000 bottles of the 2003 Hermitage La Chapelle, which was cropped at a meager 16 hectoliters per hectare. Stylistically it is vaguely similar to the 1990 and undeniably the finest La Chapelle since that prodigious wine. While not quite the bell-ringer I had hoped for, it is a brilliant effort with a deep ruby/purple-tinged color and a big, sweet nose of cassis, new saddle leather, roasted meats, and dried herbs. Full-bodied, pure, rich, and long in the finish with 14.1% natural alcohol (one of the highest levels ever recorded for this wine), it looks to be set for at least 20-30 years of longevity. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030.
-Wine Advocate #156 Dec 2004

Revisiting this hot vintage after a few decades is always interesting, and as you might expect with the location of La Chapelle, with its wind-strewn slopes and altitude of 400m, it has retained freshness. Majoring on cumin, cinnamon, soy on the opening beats, this is rippling with silky tannins, red liquorice, still feels young, with cranberry fruits giving lift alongside the spiced blackberry, incense, graphite, liquorice, good lift on the finish. Jaboulet family owners.

Saturated ruby. Deep, pure, extremely primary aromas of blackberry, blueberry, licorice and camphor, along with a suggestion of exotic spices. Quite suave on entry, then huge, sweet and superconcentrated, coating every nook and cranny of the palate. With an almost medicinal austerity, this very young Hermitage is almost bitter-edged today. But its impressive fullness in the mouth and consistency of texture from start to finish go beyond anything produced by Jaboulet in recent years.

As someone spellbound by the legendary 1978 just a few months ago, this makes the weaknesses of this 2003 all the more apparent. Lifeless nose: touch of stewed prune and liquorices. The palate has some peppery black fruits, a touch of plum, but surprisingly light tannins and bugger all persistency. Perhaps this was a bad bottle? Too alcoholic for me. Tasted March 2006.

Tasted blind. Pale ruby. Sweet and slightly cooked on the nose. Tired. Lacks a bit of freshness and nerve. Is this the Jaboulet? Light, lacks freshness and is already drying out. (JR)