Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : Les Jalets 2022

Characteristics and tasting tips for Les Jalets 2022 from Paul Jaboulet-Aîné

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals an intense deep purple-red hue.

Nose
The nose offers lovely fruity intensity with aromas of cherries and fresh blueberries, complemented by delicate woody nuances.

Palate
On the palate, the slightly tannic structure reveals excellent cellaring potential. The finish lingers with subtle toasted notes.

Food and wine pairings

This Crozes-Hermitage pairs perfectly with saucisson brioché, flank steak with shallots, or rib steak with green peppercorn.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal enjoyment, serve Les Jalets 2022 at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be cellared until around 2032.

An intense, fruit-forward Crozes-Hermitage

The estate

Established in 1834 in Tain-l'Hermitage by Antoine Jaboulet, the Paul Jaboulet-Aîné House spans 80 hectares in the Vallée du Rhône. Taken over in 2006 by the Frey family, it is run by oenologist Caroline Frey, who led the estate to organic certification in 2016 and the conversion to biodynamics. Hermitage La Chapelle remains the flagship wine of the estate.

The vineyard

"Les Jalets" comes from Crozes-Hermitage vineyards resting on Rhône alluvial deposits and rounded pebbles, the deep soils characteristic of the appellation. The name "Les Jalets" comes from Old French referring to pebbles, these rounded stones deposited by Alpine glaciers 30,000 years ago.

The vintage

Autumn and winter 2021-2022 saw a significant rainfall deficit. Late budbreak was followed by rapid vine growth. Flowering took place quickly in warm conditions between May 15 and May 31. This early vintage saw bunch closure as early as June 30. Summer was marked by successive heatwaves from early July to mid-August, before beneficial rainfall in mid-August. The berries, smaller than average, promise a rich, concentrated vintage with beautiful colour.

Winemaking and ageing

Hand-harvesting is followed by meticulous sorting. After destemming and crushing, Les Jalets 2022 undergoes 3 weeks of maceration, with gentle tannin extraction through daily pump-overs. Ageing lasts 12 months: 50% in truncated-cone oak vats, 25% in barrels and 25% in stainless-steel tanks.

Grape variety

This red wine from Vallée du Rhône is 100% Syrah.