2010 Jaboulet Hermitage La Petite Chapelle - The Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage has been a long time favourite of mine, but I finally drew the line when it soared in price (the grand vin, La Chapelle, sells for $365 Can. a bottle where I live). I bought a few bottles of this wine when it first reached my market and decided to open one.
First, a bit of inconsistency on naming - they used the name La Petite Chapelle at first and later changed it to La Maison Bleue. I have seen statements that the change was in 2015 and later but this 2010 is labelled La Maison Bleue, so I really have no idea when the change actually went into effect - it may have changed at different times for different markets..
The wine is quite dark in colour and shows hints of spice and red fruit in the nose. It shows ample but not obtrusive tannin levels and it developed some nice black olive notes with time. But - it was no La Chapelle, it was a lesser but decent Rhone - not in the same class as La Chapelle, but of course nowhere near as expensive either.