Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage la Maison Bleue 2015 (750ML)

96 JD / 95 VM / 95 JS / 94 WA

A new cuvée that’s replacing the Petit Chapelle, the 2015 Hermitage La Maison Bleue comes from grapes on the eastern side of the appellation, which is more limestone, clay, and sedimentary soils. Brought up in 20% new oak (which is the same for all the reds), it offers a rich, opulent, incredibly sexy style as well as full-bodied notes of black raspberry, blackberry jam, toasted bread, and spice. With tons of sweet fruit, no hard edges, and a great finish, it’s a much more in your face, pedal-to-the-metal effort compared to the more structured La Chapelle.—Jeb Dunnuck

Opaque purple. Powerful, highly complex aromas of red/blue fruit preserves, licorice, olive paste and potpourri carry a sexy floral overtone. Coats the palate with intense black and blue fruit and spicecake flavors; a sappy violet pastille nuance gains strength with air and lends an exotic touch. Velvety, even tannins shape an impressively long, chewy, mineral-accented finish that shows outstanding power and spicy thrust.-- Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

A striking, exotic nose with red stone fruits and extremely expressive berries as well as darker cherries and plums, and plenty of dark stony notes, too. The palate is super plush, expansive and deeply structured. Velvety, deep and supple, and packed with red and dark cherries and plums. Dense, velvety tannins. Super expressive and long with a stony finish. Drink from 2020 and beyond. –James Suckling

Replacing La Petite Chapelle in the Jaboulet lineup is the 2015 Hermitage La Maison Bleue. Rather than being a selection of lots that didn’t make the cut for La Chapelle, it’s more terroir-based, with the wine coming from the eastern (non-granitic) side of the appellation. Because of that, it’s softer in style, with a rich, velvety texture. Cedar and spice notes frame cassis and cola notes, lingering through the long, supple finish.—Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate