Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet, Croze-Hermitage, with Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller took place from October 13 - October 23. The tour started in Lyon and ended in Châteauneuf-du-Pap/ Avignon. There were 8 of us including Annette and me.

The Rhône Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in France, and the second largest after Bordeaux. The Greeks introduced viticulture in the 4th century BC. Later the Romans came and brought viticulture to a different level. Since then the world has discovered Rhône wines and some of the most famous wines come from the Rhône Valley. The vineyards are located on both sides of the river. The Rhône Valley is divided into two distinctively different regions: the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône. 

 

Following:

At the Foot of the Hermitage Hill and Tasting at Maison M. Chapoutier in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch with a View of the Hermitage Hill at Brasserie Route N7 in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Quick Stop at Valrhona, the Famous Chocolate Producer, in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

we went to Domaine Jaboulet Philippe et Vincent. Philippe was for 30 years the director of production at Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné before the Jaboulet family sold it in 2006.  

Following a tour of the cellar, Philippe led a tasting in the tasting room. We also met Vinvent.  

 

The wines of Philippe and Vincent Jaboulet are brought to the USA by Bonhomie Wine Imports. 

 

Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet

For 30 years Philippe Jaboulet was the director of production at the famed estate ‘Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné’ in Tain L’Hermtage. After the estate was sold to the Frey family, owners of Château La Lagune in the Médoc, Philippe founded the Domaine Philippe et Vincent Jaboulet in 2006 to continue the family tradition to produce wine which had been passed on for 6 generations. Son Vincent studied oenology and gathered experience in other wine estates in France and Australia.

Domaine Philippe et Vincent Jaboulet retained some acres of the family’s historic vineyards, including most notably a parcel of the original Thalabert vineyard, which is situated in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. The parcel from the Thalabert vineyard that belonged to Paul Jaboulet Ainé was renamed Nouvelère. The domaine’s Nouvelère wine is produced from the vineyard’s oldest vines, up to 80
years old. 

 

Today the domaine produces wines from 75 acres in several appellations: Crozes-Hermitage red or white (100% Marsanne grape), the largest appellation with 62 acres; Hermitage, the most prestigious wine of the northern Côte du Rhône region with 3.2 acres around the Hermitage slopes; Cornas, an appellation for red wine only that is grown on the western slopes of the Rhône on 6 acres of granite soil and a little higher than the other areas; IGP red and white on 5 acres of 100% Syrah and 100% Viognier. 

 

The domaine is certified HVE level 3: no use of pesticides and chemical insecticides to foster biodiversity in the vineyards. The approach in the cellar is equally environmentally minded.

Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet: Family Identity and Innovation Combined/ Bonhomie Wine Imports

For 25 years, until the estate was sold in 2006, Philippe Jaboulet oversaw the vineyards of his family business, the renowned Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aîné. Now, Philippe, along with his son Vincent have joined the movement of local growers making their own wines. Holding on to 15 hectares of original family vines, including the highly regarded Thalabert parcel (renamed Nouvelère) and purchasing another 15 ha, the two created a singular domain: Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet. The estate includes plots in Ermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Cornas.

The Nouvelère plot (a play on the words “nouvelle” and “era”), is renowned for the presence of larger rounded galet stones and is the oldest part of their vineyards with vines over 80 years old (planted during World War II). These older vines were planted more densely thus seeing more stress and competition on each vine resulting in lower yields (30/35 hl/ha), and in turn, more concentrated, structured wines than their other plots which average 40/45 hl/ha. Other plots are mostly composed of granite soil covered in loess with some red clay.

Since the inception of the Domaine, Philippe and Vincent have worked the vines as traditionally as possible which allowed them to achieve the highest level HVE certification in 2016. Vincent notes that “…what we’ve also done with the certification is to emphasize the importance of biodiversity around our plots, with the installation on certain plots of nesting boxes for bats and birds and our beehives, as well as the preservation of natural habitats around our plots.” The changing climate has forced some adjustments over the years, particularly with the management of hotter weather and water management (no watering allowed!). Not using weedkillers or insecticides means more work in the vineyard but their philosophy remains strong: Use traditional methods typical of the region, both in cultivation and in the cellar.

In the cellar, grapes are destemmed, then pressed with the juice seeing long maceration typically between 3 and 4 weeks. Of course, they adapt depending on each vintage condition and taste vats every 1-2 days to monitor the evolution of the wine. Depending on the cuvée, fermentation can take place in stainless steel, concrete, or wooden vats. Red wines are filtered only very lightly just before bottling to disturb the wine as little as possible.

This father and son team succeed by holding on to their identity, considering it a privilege to continue the family tradition of working in the vineyards passing from father to son for 6 generations. A great trinity of tradition, family, and dedication imbues the production of these iconic wines.

Arriving at Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet, Croze-Hermitage

 

 

Cellar Tour

 

Meeting Vincent Jaboulet

 

Tasting

 

Bye-bye

 

Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours - Postings on schiller-wine (Published and Forthcoming):

 

Overview: Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings 

Arriving in Lyon: Saucisson Sec, Saint-Marcellin Cheese and a Bottle of Rhône Rouge at Le Broc'Bar for Dinner - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Sunday Morning Stroll on the St. Antoine Market on the Banks of the Soane River Market in Lyon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Meet&Greet (+ Introduction to the Rhône Valley Region) at Grand Hôtel des Terreaux in Lyon and Guided Sightseeing Tour of Lyon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

"Menu Tradition" at Grand Café des Négociants - Created in 1864 - in Lyon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

At the Foot of the Hermitage Hill and Tasting at Maison M. Chapoutier in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch with a View of the Hermitage Hill at Brasserie Route N7 in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Quick Stop at Valrhona, the Famous Chocolate Producer, in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet, Croze-Hermitage, with Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

3-course Dinner at Restaurant Le Quai (Michelin Bib Gourmand) in Tain L’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Caveau Ferraton Père & Fils in Tain L’Heremitage, with Jerome Nuss - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine Yves Cuilleron in Chavanay, Northern Rhône, with Thibaut Jager - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Next to Maison Guigal: Lunch at Le Bistro de Serine in Ampuis - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour at Maison Guigal and Guigal Tasting at Château d’Ampuis, with Kim Conley - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Focus on "Natural Wine": Meeting Alice Feiring at Le Moderne Wine Bar of Romane Vallon in Toulon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting in the Cellar at Cave Sébastien Blachon in Saint-Jean de Muzols, Northern Rhône, with Sébastien Blachon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting from Barrel and from Bottle at Domaine Alain Graillot in Pont-de-l’Isère, Northern Rhône, with Maxime Graillot - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

High-end Wine Pairing Lunch at La Grand Table Maison Chabran, with Chef Louis Chabran and Legend Michel Chabran - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

High-end Tasting at Paul Jaboulet Aîné in Tain-l’Hermitage, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine Alary in Cairanne, Southern Rhône, with Jean Etienne Alary and Senior Boss Denis Alary - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Domaine Chaume-Arnaud in Vinsobres, Southern Rhône, with Valérie Chaume-Arnaud and Virginia Fréguin - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant Le Mesclun in Séguret, with Artist Chef Christophe Bonzi - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Domaine Saint Gayan in Gigondas, Southern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker Christian-Yves Carré de Lusançay - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at Restaurant Domaine de Cabasse, Séguret - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine des Pasquiers in Sablet, Southern Rhône, with Jean Claude, Philippe and Perrin Lambert - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting in the Front-yard at Domaine La Ligière in Beaumes-de-Venise - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

3-course Lunch at Restaurant Auberge Saint Roch in Beaumes-de-Venise, with the Husband and Wife Team Johann and Isabelle from Corsica - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting in the Cellar at Domaine La Martinelle in Lafare, Ventoux, with Owner/ Winemaker Corinne Faravel - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Charcuterie and Cheese Dinner with Rosé Wines at Hôtel Le Mas de l’Oulivié, Les Baux de Provence - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Olive Trees Tour, Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Mas de Gourgonnier in Mouriès, Alpilles, with Owner/ Winemaker Eve Cartier - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

3-course Lunch at Le Mas Teulière in Maussane-les-Alpilles - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Van Gogh and the Romans: Sightseeing in Arles - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch with a View at Restaurant Les Terrasses at the Pont du Gard - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Avignon - Town of the Popes: Guided Tour of the Palace of the Popes and of Pont Saint-Bénézet - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Light Dinner in Avignon at the Palace of the Popes - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine du Pègau in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Owner/ Winemaker Laurence Féraud and Winemaker Andreas Lenzenwöger (from Austria) - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Vignobles Alain Jaume, Domaine Grand Veneur in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Hélène Jaume and Chef Axel Thomas - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Berthet-Rayne in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Owner/ Winemaker Laure Berthet-Rayne (Laure Capeau) - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours 

Light Dinner in the old part of Avignon near "Les Halles", the Central Food Market - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Bottleing and Tasting at Château de Ségriès in Lirac, with Owner/ Winemaker Henri de Lanzac - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting Château de Beaucastel Wines at Boutique Famille Perrin in the Village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at La Mule du Pape in the Center of  Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Château Gigognan in Sorgues, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Head Winemaker Jenna Le Lay - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Michelin-star level Wine-pairing Dinner at Hôtellerie du Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours