2022 Paul Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Les Jalets, Northern Rhone

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.

91 points jamessuckling.com

Paul Jaboulet Aîné’s Crozes Hermitage Les Jalets is a vibrant, classically styled Syrah from the Northern Rhône that captures the region’s hallmark balance of fruit, spice and earthy depth. The name Les Jalets refers to the round river stones, or galets roulés, that define many of the vineyards in Crozes Hermitage. These stones absorb warmth during the day and radiate it at night, helping Syrah ripen evenly in this cool continental climate. The result is a wine that’s rich in character but always lifted and fresh.

Les Jalets is made entirely from Syrah grown on the flatter plains just outside the famed Hermitage hill. Winemaker Caroline Frey, who has brought a new sense of precision and energy to the Jaboulet estate since taking over in 2006, champions organic and biodynamic practices across the vineyards. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel to preserve purity, followed by ageing in large older oak casks that add texture and refinement without overwhelming the fruit.

In the glass, it’s a textbook northern Rhône Syrah. Expect aromas of black cherry, wild berries, violets and cracked black pepper, alongside hints of smoked meat, olive tapenade and graphite. There’s a stony, savoury edge that gives it real tension and drive. The palate is medium-bodied and finely structured, with juicy acidity and chalky tannins that make it both approachable and age-worthy.

Les Jalets is a superb match for roasted lamb, beef tagine with olives and preserved lemon, duck with lentils, or grilled eggplant and mushrooms. It also shines with aged hard cheeses and charcuterie. While it drinks beautifully now, it can age gracefully over five to seven years, gaining more earthy depth and complexity.

This wine is a compelling expression of Syrah’s more restrained and mineral side, offering a true taste of northern Rhône terroir at an accessible price.