Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage 2015

Domaine de Thalabert is the oldest property that Paul Jaboulet owned, since 1834, and the oldest property of the Crozes Hermitage appellation (long before this appellation actually existed). It is very ideally located on pebbly and rocky terraces located between Tain l’Hermitage and Pont de l’Isere. The average age of the vine is from 40 to 60 years old with some of the vines planted as old as 80+ years.

Caroline Frey, the famous Bordeaux winemaker who also owns Chateau La Lagune amongst others, has done wonders for the estate since she took over back in 2006. She came in and immediately put an emphasis on the winemaking process, the equipment and the vineyard practices, and as you can read below, all the critics are unanimous in their praise of her renovations.

The 2015 Crozes Hermitage from this estate is an immaculate bottling, that is easily one of the best Crozes bottlings period over the past decade plus. If you’re a lover of Syrah, or Rhone wines, there’s just no way you can let this one slip away.

“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.” –Jeb Dunnuck

“Since the Frey family purchased this historic firm in January 2006, the winemaking process and equipment have gone through a series of dramatic changes. Now, I feel the team, winery and various terroirs are finally operating smoothly as a whole, and the recent releases are among the best Paul Jaboulet Aîné wines ever produced. Caroline Frey says that’s because the biodynamic practices are finally paying big dividends in the domaine vineyards. No doubt that has played a role, but the winemaking here has also adapted over time, paying less homage to Bordeaux and becoming more Burgundian/Rhônish in style.” -Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“If anyone had any doubts about the incredible turn around in quality this estate has seen since being taken over by Caroline Frey and winemaker Jacques Desvernois in 2006, these latest 2015s should put those doubts to rest. This is unquestionably the finest set of releases I’ve tasted from the estate, and the top reds rival, and in a number of cases surpass, the 2009s and 2010s.” –Jeb Dunnuck