91 POINTS FROM JAMES SUCKLING SAYING:
“A juicy, supple and round red with notes of raspberries, dried meat and peppercorns. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. It’s mellow, well balanced and delicious. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”

BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1834 in Tain l’Hermitage, Paul Jaboulet Aîné presides over an exceptional heritage, bringing together the most famous terroirs of the Northern Rhône Valley. This historic house, family-owned and managed by the Frey family since 2006, is driven by Caroline Frey, who initiated its transition to organic and biodynamic farming (certified organic since 2016). Their approach focuses on respecting both people and terroirs, ensuring the natural personality of each parcel shines through. The Syrah grapes for “Les Jalets” come from vineyards located on the terraces of Les Chassis in Crozes-Hermitage, a stony plain characterized by “galets” – large, round, well-worn stones carried down by ancient glaciers, reminiscent of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

“What makes a great wine, what makes it inimitable and constant, is the terroir in which it is born.” — Caroline Frey, Winemaker. The 2022 vintage began with a lack of winter rainfall, but vegetative development accelerated quickly. After a stormy June, July and August brought very hot, dry conditions, relieved by mid-August rains that aided recovery. Grapes were lower in weight than normal, promising a rich vintage with concentrated flavors and beautiful colors.

This 100% Syrah, grown on 25-year-old certified AB Organic vines, benefits from the “galets” in the soil that absorb daytime heat and release it at night, promoting optimal, steady ripening. The harvest is manual, with grapes carefully sorted and destemmed. Maceration lasts for three weeks with daily pump-overs, a traditional method designed to gently extract tannins and flavor. The wine is aged for 12 months in a combination of French oak vats (50%), French oak barrels (25%), and stainless steel vats (25%), allowing for nuanced development while preserving the fruit’s integrity.

The 2022 Les Jalets is a wine of deep garnet red in color. On the nose, it offers inviting aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, and spicy notes like licorice. The producer notes an intense purple-red color. On the nose, this organically-farmed wine is intense and fruity, with notes of cherry, blueberry (fresh black fruit) and delicate hints of aging. The palate is slightly more tannic, promising good aging potential, with slightly roasted notes from aging on the finish. This vintage is described as a “charming elixir” by the producer, showcasing rich, concentrated flavors.