Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : Le Grand Pompée 2021

A Saint-Joseph white wine that blends refinement and aromatic richness

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

Paul Jaboulet-Aîné's Grand Pompée is a Saint-Joseph wine, an appellation located on the right bank of the Rhône river in the northern part of the Rhône Valley. The vines, aged between 10 and 30 years old, are planted on sloping soils with a south/south-eastern exposure. They are planted on a light soil composed of schist and gneiss upon a granitic base.

The wine

The name of this cuvée refers to the Pompey the Great, who fought with Charlemagne against the Moors on the right bank of the Rhône in the 9th century. In his collection of poems La Légende des Siècles, Victor Hugo quotes the famous line "And wine from the wine that Pompey the Great loved".

The vintage

Although the mild winter favoured an early budding of the vineyard, this advance was slowed down by a rapid drop in temperatures combined with an episode of black frost in early April. The spring was cool and rainy. Flowering was uniform. The summer was cool and wet, leading to a delay in veraison as well as slow and gradual ripening period. Following the harvest, the first grapes are particularly aromatic and balanced.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes are hand-picked and then pressed in whole bunches. Fermentation at low temperature in barrels, stainless steel tanks and concrete eggs, as well as ageing on lees for 8 months.

The blend

Marsanne (67%)

Roussanne (33%).

Grand Pompée 2021 by Paul Jaboulet-Aîné: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

A beautiful pale yellow colour with subtle silver highlights.

Nose

Fresh and floral, the nose blends vine peach fragrances with citrus notes.

Palate

A lively attack precedes a seductive mouth that blends precision and balance. Persistent and smooth, the mouth exudes flavoursome pastry notes.