Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : La Maison Bleue 2020

A Hermitage wine that harmoniously combines finesse and complexity

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.

The wine

Paul Jaboulet-Aîné's Maison Bleue is a Hermitage wine made from terroirs situated 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 too stony nor too steep.

The vintage

A mild winter, favouring an early budding of the vines, preceded a warm spring with regular rainfall. The flowering period was homogeneous and very good quality. July was hot and dry. The harvest took place under very good conditions and enabled the teams to harvest very healthy grapes

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, 15% of which are new.

The blend

Paul Jaboulet-Aîné's Maison Bleue 2020 is a Rhône Valley red wine made exclusively from Syrah.