It’s true that I feel pale these days…Then, way to Tain l’Hermitage, the sun, the Rhone, its vineyards and the good wines of Paulo ! Welcome in the cradle of the syrah to revise our classics in 3 parts: today, honour to the !

The winter over, whitened skin, deep hairs, nothing is better thah a good cure of Rhone Valley to invigorate itself. So, rendez-vous in my “personal” aesthetics salon: the Paul Jaboulet’s Vineum in Tain to be healthier !

That’s true, there is not the charm of Chateauneuf-sur-Isère (ex-cellar), that’s true, the family isn’t the owner anymore but the wines are still models ! For the story, I used the word “dynasty'” because 6 generations in command of this renowned firm since Antoine in 1834, that’s why we can name that a dynasty !!! But inheritor after inheritor, Dynasty becomes Dallas and when the Gérard Jaboulet’s widow wants to sold her part…the company changes of family and the group Frey becomes the owner ! Today, it’s Caroline Frey who manages everything, with Chateau La Lagune ! And she is doing it well…

But it’s not her who will take in charge of you, but 2 others “wine beautician”: Guillaume et Laëtitia ! Properly installed to the counter, I am dependant of their “fairy noses” for the tasting. First care proposed: “Secret de Famille” 2013, 100% Viognier ! It’s clear, fruity and intense for the nose…but a little bit disappointing to the palate where the bitterness gets the upper hand (9,90€). But to be relax, it’s perfect…

My complexion is still pale, then they give me a make-up more appropriate with a gold colour, dense and limpid of Domaine Mule Blanche 2012 (Crozes-Hermitage). It has the structure and the body of the Marsanne (50%), the delicacy and the clarity of the Roussanne (50%), I get colours back ! But for 25€…I feel a small fatigue…

That is when Guillaume takes out the miracle object: “le Chevalier de Sterimbergen” 2008 (Hermitage). Of course, for this kind of cure, price in consequence: 54€ ! But honestly, my nose removes it the wrinkles from the honey and the quince, and my palate rejuvenates by the fat and the body of the Marsanne (2/3), and the floral touch from the Roussane, everything 8 months in the barrel ! Now, I feel relaxed and my complexion is becoming more tanned…

That’s why we continue with the following care: the red wines ! The new Grand Pompée 2011 (Saint-Joseph) tenses me by his acidity and his closed tannin (17€), then quickly, they open me a classic not to fall again with pale complexion: the Domaine de Thalabert 2007 (Crozes-Hermitage, 29€). Great success ! The intense chocolated nose outstrips a peppery, fruity and tannic mouth ! I am really really calm, before that….

…that the youth therapy appears: La Petite Chapelle (2007) ! From the mythical hill of Hermitage, it’s the “low cost” version of the legendary wine La Chapelle…but what’s a “low cost” ! You are captivated by the liquorice, the chocolate and the dark fruits inhaled by your big nose, before to be conquer by the delicacy and the elegance of melted tannin in your mouth ! 69€, you are going to tell me that I abuse, but what is the price of a real aesthetics care ? For me, no doubt: my palate is nice again, new again and happy of it Jaboulet’s cure ! Thank you Guillaume and Laëtitia for your cares and CONGRATULATIONS to Caroline Frey for these successes !

Did you know ? The red wine La Chapelle of Jaboulet is a mythical vineyard of the top of the Hermitage’s hill. And the vintage 1961 is considered as one of the best 12 word wines for the last century, which one was sold 24 000 € in 2007 !!!