Producer Background:

Paul Jaboulet Aîné has been a trend-setting grower and shipper in the Rhône since 1834. The Jaboulet company was founded by Antoine Jaboulet (1807-1864), and his twin sons, Paul and Henri (1846-1892) continued to expand the family business. The elder son ("aîné" in French), Paul, established the company in its present form and gave it his own name. Since then, the company had been run by successive generations of sons from that side of the Jaboulet family, until 2006, when the Frey family bought Jaboulet and quickly implemented sweeping changes to return Jaboulet to the summit of quality Rhône producers.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné is one of the Rhône’s most recognizable wineries. The Jaboulet reputation rests on the quality of well-situated and well-tended vineyards. The winemaking changes implemented by the Frey family include severe selection, dramatically lower yields, long and steady fermentations and aging in newer barrels.

Jaboulet wines symbolize robustness and elegance, essential qualities of great wines. The crown jewel is Hermitage "La Chapelle," which Clive Coates asserts "is one of the great red wines of the world."

Wine Type: Dry Rose

Grape Type: 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Syrah.

Country: France

Region: Rhone

Vinification: Parallèle 45 is named for the location of the vineyards on the 45th latitude, where a stone marker proclaims 'Ici commence le midi' ('Here begins the Midi"). Recognized for its consistent excellence by the wine press, Parallèle 45 is a fruity and fleshy blend of Rhône grapes which can vary significantly to reflect the best varieties in any given vintage. The 'Saignée' method is used (Saignée, meaning 'bleeding' in French, is a process that pumps off the juice from the red grape skins to produce a rosé wine). The wine is aged for a short time in thermoregulated tanks before bottling.  

Tasting Notes: Color: Very bright, deep salmon color.

Nose: Intense and rich aromas of very ripe red fruits -- strawberry, black currant, and raspberry.

Palate: Well rounded, full and generous, its long finish is emphasized by fresh aromas of very ripe red fruits with a hint of spice

Food Match: salads, quiche, grilled vegetables, fish, chicken, Asian cuisine.