2022 Hermitage la Maison Bleue
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Tasting notes
Coming all from the eastern portion of the appellation, the 2022 Hermitage La Maison Bleue was all destemmed and aged in 15-20% new barrels. Its deep ruby/plum hue is followed by a beautiful nose of darker currants, smoked herbs, graphite, and spice. It's medium to full-bodied, has a broad, layered mouthfeel, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. I love it even today and see no reason it shouldn't have 20-25 years of prime drinking. Drink 2025-2050. It is always a great tasting with Caroline Frey at Paul Jaboulet Aîné, and the wines showed beautifully across the board. The style here continues to emphasize purity and freshness, with a focus on vibrancy and precision. Starting with the 2021 vintage, the Hermitage La Chapelle wines were split off under the new Domaine de la Chapelle label and brand, marking a major step for the Frey family in differentiating the brands. Paul Jaboulet Aîné continues to produce a strong lineup across the Northern Rhône, including Condrieu Les Grands Amandiers, Crozes-Hermitage Thalabert and Domaine de Roure, Saint Joseph La Croix des Vignes, Côte Rôtie Les Pierrelles, and Cornas Domaine de Saint Pierre. The newer Cornas Reynard cuvée, first made in 2020, continues to impress. Hermitage La Maison Bleue rounds out the range.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Crafted from vines planted on the eastern side of the Hermitage's hill, the 2022 Hermitage La Maison Bleue evokes aromas of loamy soils, mulberries, iris and dark berries, which intermingle with floral notes upon aeration. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it has a fleshy, dense core of fruit and velvety yet abundant tannins, finishing with a charming, youthful and long finish. Fleshier and deeper than many Hermitage wines due to clay soils without granite influence, this is an enveloping and stunning Hermitage.
In spite of its ample concentration and structure, this is an elegant and precise expression of Hermitage. Such a wide spectrum of black and red berries with grilled rosemary and smoke complexity. The ample fine-grained tannins build impressively in the finish, and they need some time to completely harmonize, but they are wrapped in enough richness to already be exciting. From vineyards on the eastern side of the hill of Hermitage. From organically grown grapes. Drink from 2027.
The 2022 Hermitage La Maison Bleue radiates marked intensity on its aromatic profile, mingling graphite, black cherry, blackberry, dried violet and cedar notes with a flicker of licorice. Hitting the medium- to full-bodied palate with lovely elegance, the 2022 achieves outstanding freshness. Generous yet focused, it winds down with a resonant echo on the complex finale.