Paul Jaboulet Aîné La Chapelle Hermitage 2018

The beautifully proportioned 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle comes across as a complex, complete version of this renowned bottling, with no rough edges – just moderate spice, cassis, red berries and cedar on the nose. It’s medium to full-bodied, silky and fine, brimming with harmony and elegance on the palate, while the finish is long, echoing with cassis, charcoal and crushed stone. The tannins firm up a bit on the finish, so I suspect this will close down soon, then blossom sometime after 2025. Drink date: 2025-2040. Score – 98+. (Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com, May 13, 2021)