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.

A legendary cru… Over centuries, this mythical cru has built its reputation on a single hill, and an epic history. In the beginning, the hill was home to a hermitage founded by Henri Gaspard de Sterimberg in 1224. This knight, returning from the Albigensian Crusade, and weary of bloodshed, asked permission to Blanche of Castille to take refuge from the world on the summit of this granite hill. Soon joined by others, the community began to plant vines… A charming tale, but one that overlooks the fact that the Hermitage owes only its name to the hermit: the vineyard has existed since ancient times with the famous wines of Vienne.

Soil – Our Roussanne and Marsanne grapes are grown in clay-chalk and sandy, pebble soils on steep slopes, producing complex and elegant white Hermitage wines.

Blend – 70% Marsanne, 30% Roussanne.

Age of the vines – 35 years

Vinification – The grapes are harvested by hand into small, 15kg crates, then pressed straight away to minimize any risk of oxidation. The wines are then vinified traditionally in oak and stainless-steel tanks.

Ageing – Following alcoholic fermentation in oak casks and concrete egg-shaped tanks, the lees are being brought back into suspension by stirring over the 8 to 10 months ageing process, providing the wine with elegant and complex aromas.

Subtle notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings frame honey, pineapple and baking spices, all wrapped around a tensile core of tangerine and lime. In a year when no La Chapelle Blanc is being made, this is the top white Hermitage from Jaboulet, and it’s a beauty, with a silky texture and a long, mouthwatering finish.

Food Pairing – Navarin of Lobster with young vegetables, Roast kid with honey and confied pears, scallops with leak fondue

Serving Temperature – 12 to 14C. Best enjoyed within 6 to 25 years

James Suckling – 94 points

Jasmine, white peaches, apricots, bananas, crushed stones, almonds and lemon pith on the nose. Shells too. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a fresh, vibrant palate. Firm and mineral. From organically grown grapes. Try from 2023.

The Wine Advocate – 91 points

A 60-40 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne that aged exclusively in concrete, the 2020 Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg features some slightly leesy aromas, plus hints of underripe pear, anise and citrus. Picked early and weighing in at only 13% alcohol, it’s a crisp, medium-bodied, tight, yet elegant effort that bears little resemblance to most modern-day white Hermitages.