1990 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle Rouge

La Chapelle Hermitage takes us back to 1224, when knight Henri-Gaspard de Sterimberg, returning from the Crusades, decided to settle as a hermit on a small hill. By building a small chapel and surrounding it with Syrah vines, Le Chevalier de Sterimberg began a legendary setting: the Hermitage Hill. Since 1919, the Jaboulet family and then the Frey family have succeeded each other in cultivating the vines for this now iconic cuvée. La Chapelle is a blend of the great terroirs of western Hermitage, where the altitude is highest: Les Bessards (granite), Le Méal, and Les Roucoules (pebble). The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (15% new) and cement concrete eggs.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Winery

La Chapelle Hermitage takes us back to 1224, when knight Henri-Gaspard de Sterimberg, returning from the Crusades, decided to settle as a hermit on a small hill. By building a small chapel and surrounding it with Syrah vines, the Chevalier de Sterimberg began a legendary setting: the Hermitage Hill. Paul Jaboulet Aîné is one of the historic names of the northern Rhône. Founded in 1834, the estate has built a long reputation for producing great Syrah wines from appellations such as Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Côte-Rôtie. The estate's absolute benchmark is Hermitage La Chapelle, a wine sourced from several prestigious plots on the granite slopes of the Hermitage Hill. Over the years, La Chapelle has become one of the most iconic Syrah wines in the world.

1990 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle

The 1990 vintage of Hermitage La Chapelle is among the greatest Rhône wines ever made. With a perfect 100-point rating from The Wine Advocate, it belongs to a select group of wines worldwide that receive this distinction. In tastings, the 1990 is often mentioned in the same breath as the legendary 1961 and 1978 vintages, which together shaped La Chapelle's historic reputation.

Origin and style

Hermitage is situated on a steep granite hillside on the banks of the Rhône River. The vineyards benefit from excellent sun exposure and poor soils, resulting in concentrated and structured Syrah. La Chapelle is blended from several top parcels on the Hermitage hillside and is known for its combination of power, complexity, and exceptional aging potential.

Color, smell and taste

Even after decades of aging, the 1990 still displays a deep, dark color with a ruby-red rim. On the nose, the wine opens with an impressive and complex aroma of blackcurrant, cassis, and dried fruit, complemented by classic Hermitage notes of smoked meat, game, chocolate, licorice, and spices. Earthy nuances and floral accents also emerge.

Full-bodied and impressively structured on the palate, with an incredibly rich texture. The wine continues to combine vibrant fruit with aging aromas such as leather, spices, dried berries, and subtle earthy notes. Despite its power, the balance remains exceptional, with a long, deep finish that lingers for minutes. The combination of intensity, complexity, and freshness makes this wine a textbook example of great Hermitage.

Reviews and reputation

This wine received 100 points from Jeb Dunnuck for The Wine Advocate, who describes it as one of the Rhône's great icons. It was praised for its deep color, intense aromas of blackcurrant, smoked meat, chocolate, and spice, and especially for its exceptional texture and pure fruit expression. According to Dunnuck, the wine combines hedonistic richness with remarkable freshness and will continue to develop for many years to come.

Storage capacity

Hermitage La Chapelle 1990 is one of those wines that can age for decades. While it's already beautifully drinkable today, it continues to develop. Its aging potential extends effortlessly well beyond 2040.

Wine-Food and Discount

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers. In the "Food" tab, you'll find advice on what to consider for the perfect wine-food pairing and several dish suggestions from our Sommelier.