From the oldest vineyard in Crozes-Hermitage, this organic Syrah balances bold blackberry fruit with spicy pepper and earthy depth. Silky tannins, bright freshness, and serious aging potential make this a Rhône red worth holding—or enjoying now.

James Suckling | JS 95
Published: Jan 07, 2025

This proves that Crozes-Hermitage can be a truly great wine. A wealth of black fruit, smoke, black pepper and raw meat aromas. At once bold, structured and elegantly balanced on the medium- to full-bodied palate, where the interplay of fleshiness and fine tannins is stunning. Very long, stony finish with notes of licorice and blackberries. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Mar 13, 2025
Drink: 2024-2032

Wafting from the glass with a lively, elegant bouquet of dark berries, spices, licorice and herbs, the 2022 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert possesses a moderately weighted, satiny and ample palate with a delicately juicy core of fruit, despite a slightly introverted character and an austere finish. Fermented 30% in wooden tronconic tanks, the rest in foudres, and matured in barrels, 15% new, this is a real classic.

Caroline Frey graciously hosted me for a tasting of the 2022 vintage. She described the year as “hot, dry and extreme,” noting that the number of days with maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius reached record levels. Despite those conditions, the wines are fresh with lively bouquets and no trace of drought or overripe profiles. Caroline considers it “an exciting vintage, particularly regarding how positively the vines adapted to the climate.”

The Frey family acquired Paul Jaboulet Aîné in 2006, securing ownership of the second-largest estate of Hermitage vines, including the legendary La Chapelle. Since their arrival, and under Caroline Frey’s leadership, the vineyards have undergone extensive restructuring and a full conversion to organic viticulture. Winemaking remains rooted in tradition, with a notable influence from Bordeaux techniques. La Chapelle continues to be the estate’s flagship wine, revered for its distinctive, sappy tannins and refined delicacy.

Decanter | D 92
Published: Sep 18, 2023
Drink: 2026-2034

Violet-tinged blackberry on the nose. Silky, with fine tannins, fresh fruit, vibrancy and brightness to the depth. Organic, like all the domaine wines, this was harvested in several passes; young vines first, then the older vines up to four days later – the 85-year-old vines are some of the oldest in the appellation.

Jaboulet.com

The oldest vineyard in Crozes-Hermitage appellation, Domaine de Thalabert has been owned by Paul Jaboulet Aîné since 1834.

The Crozes Hermitage vineyard is the largest of the northern appellations. It extends over 11 communes located in the Drôme, on the left bank of the Rhône. Convinced that the interactions of living organisms are beneficial to the vineyard, favouring, among other things, crop auxiliaries, we have set up the protection of the Clos Gounon ruin, its forest and its meadow. This 7-hectare wildlife reservoir, in the heart of our Thalabert vineyard, is the first LPO biodiversity refuge in the Drôme.

TASTING NOTE
Bright ruby red colour. Expressive nose marked by aromas of red fruits, some spicy and
floral notes. The palate is fresh and continuous with supple tannins that carry the finish.

Harvesting - Hand-picked, sorted by plot in small 12kg crates.
Vinification / ageing - Manual sorting, Traditional vinification - 100% destemming 3 weeks of maceration and daily pumping over, Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels
of which 20% are new. Malolactic fermentation