Domaine Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage 1989

Stephen Tanzer : 93-96 points
"Deep, saturated ruby. Mute nose hints at cassis, violet and woodsmoke. Huge and primary in the mouth; the palate is inundated by a wave of almost confectionery fruit. But there also firm acidity and powerful underlying structure. Very fresh and unevolved for the vintage but harmonious from the start. Utterly seamless. Finishes with lush, melting tannins. An extraordinary showing for this wine, and as impressive as any ’97 Hermitage I tasted in early December." (Feb 1999)

Robert Parker : 93 points
"The 1997 Hermitage La Chapelle has begun to completely close down, which is surprising in view of how sweet, seductive, and precocious this vintage can be. However, the color seems to get deeper with exposure to air (the wine was far more drinkable after 24 hours of aeration than it was upon opening).

The moderately intense bouquet exhibits plenty of ripe blackberry and cherry fruit, in addition to spicy, mineral characteristics. There is considerable weight and volume, but the wine is tight, and nearly impenetrable, leaving an impression of a large, deep, four-square monolith in need of 7-10 years of cellaring - at the minimum.

This is an outstanding Hermitage La Chapelle that will have at least three decades of positive evolution. For readers intent on committing infanticide, open and decant it 12-24 hours in advance. The improvement is dramatic. Perhaps it is Jacques Jaboulet’s preference to bottle with very high levels of CO2 (1200 ppm) that makes this wine so difficult to taste in its youth. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025 " (Jun 2000)

Wine Spectator : 89 points
"Hedonistic and quite delicious but very ripe, with stewed fruit that makes it a bit heavy. Pepper, spice and mocha notes bring it all to a long and exciting finish--but it doesn’t have the cellar potential you expect from better vintages of La Chapelle. Drink now through 2005."  (Dec 1999)