Vertical Case including:

2003 Hermitage la Chapelle
Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: Sunday, December 14, 2014 (JS-89)

Impressive ripeness and intensity with strawberry jam and hints of raisins. But it’s floral, intense, meaty and powerful. Nougat. This is full-bodied and chewy with attractive structure and purity for this very hot vintage. A little dry on the finish, but complex and intense. Dirnk now.

2005 Hermitage la Chapelle
Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: Sunday, December 14, 2014 (JS-89)

A round, easy red with plum, berry and hints of jam. Full-bodied, soft and velvety with a medium finish. Some spice and meat character. Lacks a bit of a middle palate, but drink now. This is a blend of what was best in the cellar when the new owners arrived.

2007 Hermitage la Chapelle
Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: Sunday, December 14, 2014 (JS-94)

This is so perfumed with strawberry, spices, meat and light earth. Then changes to cloves, dried flowers such as violets, and perfume. Full body with super-fine tannins, almond, berry, light spice and hints of lightly grilled meat. A wonderful, satisfying wine that’s all about balance and refinement. Just beginning to open now.

2009 Hermitage la Chapelle
Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: Sunday, December 14, 2014 (JS-98)

Lots of ripe fruit in this, with plum and blackberry character. Very floral and fresh with citrus undertones, dried meats and smoke. Full body with an incredible texture of ultra-fine tannins, and length and beauty. This is like the unrated, incredible 1959. Incredible harmony and beauty. I am speechless. Drink or hold. This will be wonderful for ever.

2011 Hermitage la Chapelle
Source: Special Report (Sep 2015), The Wine Advocate; Issue Date: 14th Sep 2015 (RP-95)

The 2011 Hermitage la Chapelle continues to shine (I wrote “love it” in the notes) and shows the sunnier, perfumed style of the vintage. Black raspberry, crushed rocks, olive and licorice all emerge from this full-bodied, open, sweetly fruited Hermitage. It has plenty of sweet tannin and will last for 20 years.
Drink Date: 2016 – 2040

2013 Hermitage la Chapelle
Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: Thursday, September 7, 2017 (JS-94)

Plenty of pepper on the nose. This has a striking, granitic influence with graphite, black stones, beef fat and sweet spices, as well as plenty of star anise and dark, rich plums. The palate has rich, deep fleshy fruit that has really filled out nicely. Tannins are fine and gently grippy. There’s plenty of dark plum flesh with some mocha and chocolate, too. Acidity is bright. Drinking well now, but will shine from 2025.