On the steep slopes overlooking Tain-l’Hermitage, La Chapelle belongs to the cuvées that have shaped the international reputation of Hermitage red. Its name refers to the Saint-Christophe chapel, located at the top of the hill and becoming one of the most recognizable symbols of the appellation. The wine is based on a blend of several historic lieux-dits of the hillside, including Les Bessards, Le Méal, Les Greffieux, and Les Rocoules, with complementary geological profiles. Granites, scree, pebbles, and more clayey areas allow the Syrah to develop different facets, from tannic power to floral finesse. Since the domain was taken over by the Frey family in 2006, viticultural work and parcel selections have been progressively refined to favor more precision and expression of the terroir. The old vines contribute to the wine's depth as well as its remarkable aging capacity. The 2013 vintage offers a fresher and more classic reading of La Chapelle, with a straight structure and a less sunny profile than some neighboring years.
Hermitage La Chapelle 2013 is made exclusively from Syrah. The season, later than average, favored a gradual maturation and gave rise to grapes with a beautiful natural freshness. Each sector of the hillside is worked separately before blending, to take advantage of the personality specific to the different terroirs of Hermitage. The wine shows measured concentration, carried more by depth and precision than by immediate richness. The tannins are structured but fine, supporting a clear black fruit and a spicy expression already characteristic of northern Syrah. The aging accompanies this material without seeking an excessive woody imprint, in order to preserve the definition of the fruit and the mineral dimension. After more than ten years in bottle, the 2013 is beginning to enter a particularly interesting evolution phase, while still retaining a solid reserve for aging.
The color shows a deep garnet whose rim is beginning to take discreet evolved ruby nuances. The nose opens on blackcurrant, blackberry, and black plum, complemented by violet, pepper, and licorice. With aeration, notes of graphite, black olive, tobacco, and smoked meat gradually appear, enriching the complexity of the bouquet. The palate is more slender than massive, with a fresh framework that gives tension to a still deep material. The tannins have gradually softened and now offer a more velvety touch, while the black fruits remain supported by spicy and mineral nuances. The finish persists on pepper, blackcurrant, dry herbs, and a smoky touch characteristic of great Hermitage wines reaching maturity. La Chapelle 2013 will accompany a matured rib steak, a roasted rack of lamb, pigeon, game birds, or a preparation with wild mushrooms.
Grape variety: 100% Syrah
