Paul Jaboulet Aine 2017 Crozes Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert

Domaine de Thalabert is the first vineyard owned by Paul Jaboulet, purchased in 1834. The vines are grown on pebbly terraces that are glacial in origin, with the bedrock close to the topsoil. These round stones store heat during the day and release it at night, providing optimum and regular maturity. It is farmed biodynamically and the vines are 60-80+ years old. This 2017 was aged in French oak, 20% new.

The Wine Advocate for the barrel sample scored this 91-93 saying "A sample of the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert suggests this will be another good year. Lifted aromas of peppered raspberries lead the way, followed by a wine that's full-bodied, with well-ripened tannins, a lush, creamy mouthfeel and a finish that just falls a little bit short of expectations."


Vinous scored the barrel sample 93-94 saying "Youthful purple color. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe blackcurrant, blueberry, violet and olive and a smoky bacon nuance builds in the glass. Sweet and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated, mineral-tinged dark fruit liqueur, floral pastille and candied licorice flavors and a strong hint of spicecake. Chewy tannins build steadily on an impressively long, broad finish that leaves blue fruit preserve and exotic spice notes behind."

Jeb Dunnuck socred the barrel sample 94-96 saying "From a scorcher of a vintage that had tiny yields, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert offers a deep purple color as well as a classic Thalabert bouquet of black fruits, black olive, iodine, and peppery herbs. It’s a rich, rounded, sumptuous beauty that has plenty of sweet fruit, moderate tannins, and a great finish. It’s not going to match the 2015, but it’s a rocking wine I’d be thrilled to drink."