Hermitage La Chapelle Jaboulet 2011 (750ML)

94 Points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous: "Inky ruby. Heady aromas of candied dark berries, incense, violet and licorice, with a smoky topnote that gains strength with aeration. Offers sweet, palate-staining blueberry and cherry-cola flavors that are lifted and sharpened by juicy acidity. Broad, supple and spicy on the finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins and sexy floral pastille and spicecake nuances. This wine is one of the standouts of the vintage in the entire Rhone Valley this vintage. (If you're fortunate enough to own any of the 2010 La Chapelle count your blessings because it's a stunner. While it's years--maybe even decades--away from optimal drinking, there's remarkable depth and power to its black and blue fruit and violet pastille qualities. There are tannins, to be sure, but they fold effortlessly into the wine's lush fruit right now. If you have a few bottles in your cellar, give one a try to see just how impressively it shows in its youth, then hold the rest for later--probably much later.)" 03/14

97 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "A gorgeous intensity of plum, spice and grilled meat on the nose. Cloves and hints of dried spices. This is a big, structured La Chappelle. Full and powerful with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. A bit austere and muscular but gorgeous. Tar, spice, dried meat and asphalt. Needs to be aged for at least another five or six years. This is another 1991 in the making." 12/14

92 Points, Matt Walls, Decanter: "Remarkably mature already, this has an earthy side to its dense black fruits, with a touch of sweet leaf mulch. It's very full-bodied, lush and thick, with piercing acidity and noticeable alcohol. It leans towards overextraction in 2011 and certainly makes an impression. (Drink between 2019-2030)" 6/19

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "From a vintage that continues to deliver the goods, the 2011 Hermitage La Chapelle is one sexy, flamboyant beauty that shows the more sweetly fruited and charming style of the vintage beautifully. Sweet black raspberry and framboise notes give way to more tapenade, fennel, and mineral characteristics, and it's full-bodied, powerful, and layered on the palate, with sweet tannins. It's beautiful today yet will evolve for another two decades or more."