The 2006 Paul Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage is a legendary Northern Rhône Syrah from the granite slopes of Hermitage hill, produced from old vines across some of the appellation’s most prized parcels including Le Méal, Les Bessards and Les Rocoules. As one of France’s most iconic wines, La Chapelle is renowned for its combination of power, savoury complexity and extraordinary longevity.
The 2006 vintage sits in a more classical style, showing structure, savoury detail and tertiary development rather than overt richness. By this stage, the wine is entering a beautiful mature drinking window, where primary fruit begins to integrate with evolved Hermitage complexity.
The nose is deeply complex and savoury, showing blackberry, plum and cassis layered with smoked meat, black olive, leather, graphite and cracked pepper. With air, further notes of forest floor, spice, tobacco and game emerge, giving the wine remarkable depth and classic aged Syrah character.
On the palate, it is full-bodied yet composed, with fine-grained tannins and a long mineral-driven structure. Dark fruit, earth, spice and smoky savoury notes are balanced by freshness and underlying tension, leading to a persistent, mature and elegant finish. The wine shows impressive harmony and development while still retaining the structure for further ageing.
The 1500mL magnum format allows the wine to age more slowly and gracefully, preserving freshness and complexity over a longer period. This makes mature vintages like 2006 especially compelling in large format.
Ben’s Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, this is a serious collector’s Hermitage and a classic expression of old-school Northern Rhône Syrah. Compared to younger La Chapelle vintages, the 2006 is more savoury, earthy and tertiary, making it ideal for customers who appreciate mature fine wine character. In magnum format, it becomes even more special - offering slower evolution, greater complexity and an incredible table presence. This is not about fruit power; it’s about nuance, structure and the beauty of aged Syrah. Drink now with extended decanting or cellar for another 10–15+ years. Perfect with game, lamb, beef Wellington or refined French cuisine.
