The 2017 Domaine de Thalabert is a standout northern Rhône Syrah, showing rich black olive and crushed stone notes alongside ripe dark fruit and cedary oak. Full-bodied and well-structured with firm tannins, it balances power and elegance beautifully. With nearly a decade of aging, it offers complex earthy, medicinal, and black olive nuances—perfect for cellaring or enjoying now if you like serious, refined wines.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Dec 19, 2019
Drink: 2020-2030

Marked by scents of licorice, plum and cassis, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert is a full-bodied effort (although less full than the 2018), with a fine sense of balance, a crisp finish and slightly drying tannins.

With properties now in Bordeaux (Château La Lagune), Burgundy (the former Château Corton André) and Switzerland (she purchased a vineyard in the Valais in 2016), proprietor Caroline Frey is increasingly drawn in different directions, so I was fortunate to be able to sit down with her for a few hours at Michelin-starred Maison Chabran in nearby Pont de l'Isère. She brought representative barrel samples of the 2018s, plus the bottled 2017s, which we tasted through before dining. This year, Frey was excited to show me the 2017 Côtes du Rhône Parallele 45, which is now made using only organic grapes. At up to two million bottles (red, white and rosé) per year, that's no small achievement. But as always, we spent the most time on the wines produced from the firm's own vineyards, which are all farmed biodynamically. Frey explained that they cannot be certified, as the winery also processes grapes and wines from the négociant operations. The grapes are all destemmed, although she said they will experiment with whole clusters. "When we did it in 2013, for me it was not OK," she said. She has begun doing more pigeage (punching down) in the winery, versus just remontage (pumping over). "We have good results on the texture—fleshier." The glory of Jaboulet is the legendary Hermitage La Chapelle, which is finally reflecting all of the hard work put into the vineyards by the Frey family and the Jaboulet team. "We still have many things to do," said Frey. "But I think in the past 13 years we've come a long way."

Jamessuckling.com | JS 92
Published: Jul 17, 2019

This has a very attractive feel in 2017. Sanguine aromas of chocolate, iron and dark berries. There’s some real richness and a plush feel on the palate with a fine, elongated tannin drive. Super sleek. Great density and focus here. Will age very well. Try from 2024.

Jaboulet.com

A staple for any true Rhone lover's collection, Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage is the oldest and largest vineyard within the appellation. An even better rendition than the brilliant 2018, 2019 scored 94 points from Jeb Dunnuck. With an affordable price point and unrivalled place amongst the world's most historic wineries, it is hard to find another wine that can rival this prestige, quality and value.

Brand Description: Paul Jaboulet Aine, crown jewel of the Rhone Valley and one of the most highly anticipated releases of the Rhone En Primeur campaign is finally here with another sensational vintage. Since taking over the estate as an oenologist in 2006, Caroline Frey's meticulous care and attention to quality in the vineyard, aided by a steady shift to organics and biodynamics, has led the once-struggling estate to a tremendous return to form in recent years, spearheading a renaissance that has seen the return of world class winemaking and critical acclaim to one of the great estates of the Rhone Valley. The Frey family's revival of the estate has culminated in two consecutive stellar vintages, 2018 and now 2019, a testament to its prowess and reputation.