2016 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue

Paul Jaboulet Aine is perhaps the world’s best-known maker of Rhone Valley wines. Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet, the estate was family owned and operated until 2006, when it was purchased by the Swiss financier Jacques Frey, who also owns chateaux in Bordeaux and Champagne. Today the 282-acre estate is based in the appellation of Hermitage and makes a long list of wines, starting with its flagship Hermitage La Chapelle, made of Syrah from 40-60 year-old vines. Jaboulet also makes red and white Crozes Hermitage, Chateauneuf du Pape, white Condrieu and Cornas. Besides Syrah, the estate has vineyards of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne.

The Northern Rhône Valley wine region hugs the Rhône River from Vienne in the north to Valence at its southern tip. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Septentrionales, and it is divided into eight appellations. Along with its neighbor to the south, the Southern Rhone Valley, it is famous for its big, tannic, intensely concentrated wines. Syrah is the only red grape permitted in AOC wines from this sub-region, though the Syrah can be blended with the white wine grapes Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, depending on the regulations for each AOC. White wines are made from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Of the eight appellations in the north, the most admired wines tend to come from Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Hermitage, though there are certainly exceptional wines to be found in St. Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, St.-Peray, Crozes-Hermitage and Cornas. Along with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, Rhône wines are among France’s best known and most collected wines. Red wines from these appellations are notable for their signature aromas of bacon and green olives, and for their depth. Robert M. Parker, a great champion of Rhone wines, has written that “the northern Rhône produces three of the greatest wines in the world – the white wines of Condrieu and the red wines of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage.”

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.