Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : Domaine de Thalabert 2019

The character and richness of a Rhône Valley red wine authentically expressing its terroir

The estate

Maison Paul Jaboulet-Aîné, the emblematic name of the great wines of the Northern Rhône Valley, was founded in 1834 in Tain L'Hermitage. The renowned oenologist and winemaker Caroline Frey has been at the helm of this illustrious house, owned by the Frey family, since 2006. Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné oversees 125 hectares of vines, spread across exceptional appellations such as Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.

The vineyard

The oldest estate in the appellation, Domaine de Thalabert has been owned by Paul Jaboulet Aîné since 1834. This great Crozes-Hermitage wine is made from a vineyard of around 45 hectares. The vines, which are between 40 and 60 years old, are grown on a terroir with stony limestone soil consisting of pebbles that release the heat stored during the day at night.

The vintage

The dry winter did not ease the water stress experienced since 2018. The milder conditions from February onwards favoured early budburst, but this progress was slowed by the drop in temperatures at the end of March and beginning of April. Flowering began around 7 June under very good conditions. The hailstorm on 15 June put a massive brake on vine development. Summer conditions were scorching. The rigorous work carried out by the estate's team throughout the vintage resulted in a harvest of healthy, high-quality grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

Harvested by hand, the grapes are sorted by plot. Vatting time is around 4 weeks, with gentle extraction. The wine is matured in French oak barrels, 20% of which are new.

Grape variety

Syrah (100%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Domaine de Thalabert 2019 from Paul Jaboulet-Aîné

Storage

Domaine de Thalabert 2019 from Paul Jaboulet-Aîné can be laid down until 2039 to express all its aromatic palette.