Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage la Chapelle Rouge 2004 750ml

Ruby-red. Intense spice and floral notes lift the deep cassis, dark cherry and cured tobacco aromas. Wild, gamey and sweet, with deep flavors of blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, bitter licorice root and espresso framed by strong tannins. A solidly built if rather brooding La Chapelle that will require plenty of patience. Give this a decade in the cellar, at least.

• Country: France
• Region: Rhone Valley
• Appellation: Hermitage
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Syrah

Known as Syrah in most countries around the world, and Shiraz in Australia and certain other regions of the New World, this grape varietal has proven over the centuries to be one of the most powerful and flavorful red wine grapes there is. It is now one of the planet’s most widely grown grapes, and is a favorite with wineries as a result of its robustness and versatility. It isn’t easy to identify many characteristics of this particular varietal, due to the fact that it is highly versatile and shows significant differences in flavor and character depending on the terroir it is grown in, and the climatic conditions of the region. However, Syrah is most widely associated with full bodied, strong and loud red wines, packed full of fruity and spicy flavors, held in a beautifully deep red liquid.