Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet in Tain-l'Hermitage, Paul Jaboulet Aîné Estate quickly prospered under the leadership of his sons, Paul and Henry. This family estate became a major player in viticulture in the northern Rhône Valley, thanks to its exceptional terroir and unique expertise. In 1919, the estate acquired the Saint-Christophe chapel, located at the top of the Hermitage hill, a symbolic place that would give its name to the famous "La Chapelle" cuvée.
Over the decades, the estate has established itself as one of the leaders in the region, producing legendary vintages such as the mythical Hermitage La Chapelle 1961. In 2006, the Frey family took over the management of the estate, initiating a transition towards more environmentally friendly viticulture, with the introduction of organic and biodynamic practices. Caroline Frey, the talented oenologist, plays a key role in this transformation, modernising methods whilst preserving the soul of the estate.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Estate possesses one of the most impressive viticultural heritages in the Rhône Valley. Its vineyards cover approximately 125 hectares, of which 25 hectares are located on the prestigious Hermitage hill. These parcels are spread across renowned terroirs such as Le Méal, Les Greffieux, Les Dionnières, Les Roucoules and Les Bessards. This vast heritage allows the estate to cultivate a diversity of grape varieties, mainly Syrah for reds and Marsanne and Roussanne for whites.
The Hermitage terroir is distinguished by its granitic soils, ideal for Syrah, as well as its unique microclimate, which favours optimal grape ripening. Through biodynamic agriculture, the house is committed to preserving the natural balance of the soils and encouraging biodiversity. The meticulous work in the vineyard allows the expression of all the richness and typicity of the terroirs in each cuvée.
Vinification at Paul Jaboulet Aîné Estate is an art of precision and mastery. The grapes are hand-harvested with meticulous sorting carried out on the plots, then careful selection continues in the winery using optical and manual sorting tables. This attention to detail allows only the best berries to be kept for the prestigious cuvées.
Red wine vinification is carried out using traditional methods with 100% destemming. Maceration lasts about three weeks with daily pumping over to extract maximum colour and aromas. The wines then undergo malolactic fermentation before being aged for 12 to 18 months in French oak barrels, demi-muids, truncated vats, or even concrete eggs, depending on the vintage and cuvée. The percentage of new wood also varies according to the vintage, to avoid masking the expression of the terroir.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Estate is renowned for its exceptional cuvées, particularly from the Hermitage appellation. Among these, the La Chapelle cuvée is undoubtedly the most iconic. This wine, produced from Syrah, is known for its depth, complexity and exceptional ageing potential. The 1961 vintage remains one of the most sought-after in the world, making La Chapelle a legend in wine history.
Maison Bleue, formerly called La Petite Chapelle, is a more accessible and lighter version of La Chapelle, but still offers a beautiful expression of the Hermitage terroir. This cuvée is made from grapes from the middle and bottom of the Méal slope, and is distinguished by its fine tannins and mastered oak influence.
The estate also produces other prestigious cuvées, such as:
Condrieu Les Grands Amandiers ; Cornas Domaine de Saint-Pierre ; Cornas Reynard ; Côte-Rôtie Les Pierrelles ; Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Roure (red and white) ; Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert Mule Blanche (white) ; Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert (red) ; Saint-Joseph La Croix des Vignes
Here are some remarkable vintages from Paul Jaboulet Aîné Estate: 1961, 1978, 1985, 1990, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018...
These vintages are renowned for their exceptional quality and deserve special attention from collectors and fine wine enthusiasts.
The Northern Rhône Valley is full of prestigious estates that are also worth exploring. Here is a selection of some estates to discover to complete your exploration of the region's wines: Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Yves Cuilleron, Auguste Clape, Georges Vernay, Jamet...
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Estate stands as one of the jewels of the northern Rhône Valley, combining a historical heritage with a modern and environmentally respectful approach. Under the direction of Caroline Frey, this estate continues to produce world-renowned wines, which charm with their complexity, balance and ageing potential. Whether you are a fan of great Hermitages or looking for more accessible cuvées, Paul Jaboulet Aîné wines are a must for all wine enthusiasts.