Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : La Maison Bleue 2017

The refinement and complexity of a Hermitage wine

The estate

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

The vineyard

A place to work, rest and interact with other winegrowers, this house with its blue shutters is steeped in history. Located in the heart of the Hermitage vineyard, it is still used today to dry the plants used for the biodynamic preparations and also straw wine.

Paul Jaboulet-Aîné's Maison Bleue is a Hermitage wine made from terroirs located to the east of the eponymous hill. The vines are between 40 and 60 years old and are deeply rooted in the soil, which is neither very stony nor steep.

The vintage

A particularly early vintage, 2017 was marked by budburst at the end of March, heterogeneous flowering and veraison before the end of the vegetative cycle. During a particularly dry summer season, stormy spells saved the vineyard. The berries are small, concentrated and have thick skins.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted in the vineyard. Vatting for around 4 weeks with gentle extractions. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, 20% of which are new.

The blend

Paul Jaboulet-Aîné's Maison Bleue 2017 is a 100% Syrah.