🏰 The 1990 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle is a truly legendary wine, widely regarded as 【one of the greatest Hermitages ever made, a 100-point wine】 and the modern-day equivalent of the iconic 1961 vintage. This sensational wine from an ideal vintage still shows remarkable youthfulness and promises many more years of life. Expect an opaque purple color with only a slight pink at the edge. The aromatics are spectacular, offering notes of incense, smoke, blackberry fruit, cassis, barbecue spice, coffee, and chocolate, with additional nuances of pepper and grilled steak emerging with aeration. On the palate, it delivers extraordinary freshness, abundant tannin, a 60-second finish, and a thick, fleshy texture. Other descriptors include crème de cassis, crushed rocks, spring flowers, smoke meat, dark berry, dried meat, game, wet earth, licorice, and floral notes. Some tasters also find anise, herbal/minty qualities, and brighter cherry notes, evolving into gamey/earthy and cocoa/coffee flavors. 🍴 This powerful and complex Syrah is a carnivore's wine, pure and simple. It pairs exceptionally well with rich meat dishes like pate and beef. Its meaty, peppery, sinewy, and muscular character makes it a perfect match for robust game and grilled red meats. 🥂 This is a wine for a truly monumental occasion, a milestone celebration, or a profound tasting experience for serious collectors. At over 30 years old, the 1990 La Chapelle requires careful handling. The cork will likely be fragile; use a two-pronged Ah-So opener or a Durand to minimize breakage. Decant gently to separate the wine from any sediment, but avoid excessive aeration, as very old wines can fade quickly. A brief decant (30 minutes to an hour) is usually sufficient. Serve at cellar temperature, around 16-18°C (60-64°F), to allow its complex tertiary aromas to shine. Be prepared for a wine that has evolved significantly, offering nuanced savory, earthy, and spicy notes alongside any remaining fruit.