Domaine de la Chapelle : Chevalier de Stérimberg Paul Jaboulet-Aîné 2017

Made from vines that are between 32 and 66 years old, this is named after the knight who founded the original hermitage after which the famous hillside was named, following his return from the crusades. The wine was matured in concrete egg and demi-muids and is scented with fresh, juicy Williams pear and wet pebbles. The palate continues this Williams pear theme, adding a subtle phenolic frame to the juicy ripeness, reminiscent of pink-tinged pear skin. The fruit rings long after the finish.

Brought up just like the Crozes Hermitage Blanc, the 2017 Hermitage Le Chevalier De Sterimberg Blanc is a slightly more Marsanne-dominated effort that offers more minerality as well as reserved notes of spice, citrus, crushed rocks, and hints of tangerine. Ultra-pure, seamless, and silky on the palate, it has a beautiful mid-palate as well as a great finish. Purity, freshness, and focus are the buzzwords here.

A dense attack on the palate, then freshness and elegance take over against a backdrop of fresh white fruit, with a few subtle toasted notes and, above all, promises to be patiently awaited in the bottle.

Pale yellow. Intense bouquet marked by mineral and floral notes. I detect citrus, green apples, and a touch of anise. On the palate, the wine is compact, with good aromatic expression and a racy structure that carries the aromas through to the finish. So much power and persistence.