Crozes-Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche 2017
Crozes-Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche 2017, by Paul Jaboulet Aîné from the French wine region Crozes Hermitage in the Rhône Valley is a substantial, complex and expressive white wine cuvée vinified from the Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties.
In the glass, this wine shimmers in a bright straw yellow with golden highlights. The complex bouquet reveals intense aromas of juicy stone fruits (especially apricot and peach) and sun-ripened lemons – finely underlined by caramelized notes and some oak wood. On the palate, this French white wine has a good minerality, which brings a certain freshness. The full body blends in with the elegant aromas that resonate into the long finale.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné has been a part of the Rhône Valley wine industry for almost two centuries, beginning with a small plot of land on the hills of Hermitage, before expanding throughout the region. Today, it encompasses more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of vineyards making wines from the northern and southern Rhône, including Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Condrieu and Cornas.
In 1834, Antonie Jaboulet began working the hills of Hermitage, growing and cultivating the vines that would lay the framework for future generations. On his death, the estate was passed to his sons Henri and Paul, the latter eventually giving his name to wines and the company. The maison was passed through the Jaboulet family until the purchase by the Frey family in 2006.
The Paul Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle is the estate’s flagship wine and is one of the most sought-after wines from the Rhône, reaching high prices at auction. It is named for a 13th Century church built atop Hermitage (see image), which became the property of the company in 1919.
The grapes for this 100 percent Syrah come from the best terroirs the company has access to, including famed vineyards Les Bessards, Le Méal and Les Rocoules. There is also a white La Chapelle made from a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, exclusively from the Les Rocoules estate.
On top of this, Paul Jaboulet makes a wide range of wines made in the northern Rhône based on Syrah for reds, and Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier for the whites. This is complemented by several wines from the southern Rhône, including the Parallel 45 Côtes du Rhône.
