The Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné was created in 1834 through the magical conjunction of a fertile land on a hillside by the Rhone and a family with a passion for winemaking.

Famed through the Hermitage La Chapelle, over the years the Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné took ownership of the finest appellations of the northern Rhone Valley, applying organic and biodynamic principles since taken over by the Frey family, ensuring a legacy in both vineyards and incredible wines.

The Crozes-Hermitage vineyard is the largest in the Northern Rhone Valley appellations. It extends over 11 communes situated in the Drome, on the left bank of the Rhone. The Domaine de Thalabert has belonged to the Maison since 1834. It is situated on the pebbly terraces, and is the oldest and the most recognized in the appellation.

Soil – This estate of 40ha is located on the pebbly terraces that are glacial in origin. These small, round pebbled stone heat during the day and release it at night, providing optimum and regular maturity.

Grape Variety – 100% Syrah

Age of the vines – 40 to 60 years

Vinification – The grapes from the Domaine are hand picked, carefully sorted, and then meticulously vinified using traditional methods. Grapes are macerated on their skins for 3 weeks using daily pump over.

Aging – This wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, of which 20% are new.

Inky ruby. Display lively, spice-tinged back raspberry and cherry aromas, with notes of fresh flowers and mineral adding lift. Seamless and precise on the palate, offering nervy red and dark berry flavors plus hints of licorice and cola. In a lively, elegant style finishing with strong cut, supple tannins and a lingering note of candied flowers.

Matching food and wine – Pressed guinea fowl with young vegetables, Noisette of lamb with rosemary, Saddle of devilled lamb with young vegetables

Best enjoyed from 8 to 20 years

Jeb Dunnuck – 97 points

The finest vintage to date, better even than the stellar 2010, the 2015 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert is a gorgeous, deep, layered, and incredibly satisfying Crozes. Blackcurrants, olive tapenade, truffles and earthy notes all emerge from this full-bodied, gorgeously textured and seamless 2015. With fine tannin and no hard edge, it can be drunk today or cellaring for 15-20 years.

Wine Advocate – 93 points

The 2015 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert is a super effort, packed with savory notes of black olives and crushed stones. It’s full-bodied and rich, with a hint of cedary oak, but there’s plenty of fruit and ripe tannins on the lingering finish. Like some of those fine Thalabert vintages of the past, it should drink well for a couple of decades.

James Suckling – 93 points

Smooth, impressive flesh and weight. Graphite-like stony minerally aromas with dark cherries and darker plums, the oak adding cedary woody notes. The palate has an impressive plushness as well as assertive tannins below. Extremely defined, pure and attractive. A great vintage. Best from 2019 and for a decade at least.