This 1982 Hermitage La Chapelle from P. Jaboulet Aine was stored properly by me since it came on the market. Although it has been ready for several years, it still is holding well.
The color still is quite deep scarlet with only little age showing around the rim. It has a very intense bouquet and taste of ripe dark fruit with hints of spice, grape skins, and tar. The tannins are resolved, and the acid is about right. It now has greatly smoothed and is very easy to drink either alone or with food. It is quite full with a high alcohol content that is well hidden by the huge body. This is the most drinkable Rhone I have had in a long time. While it perhaps does not have the great intensity and complexity to be a Parker 100 point wine, a person would have to be very critical indeed to find serious fault with it.