Mule Noire
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted lamb with herbs, grilled beef ribeye, or earthy mushroom risotto.
✨ Technical Specifications
Named in honor of the sturdy black mules ('mules noires') that historically labored alongside vignerons on the steep, stony terraces of the Rhône Valley, Paul Jaboulet Aîné's 'Mule Noire' is a classic expression of Crozes-Hermitage. Crafted from 100% Syrah, this wine is sourced from vineyards characterized by alluvial soils, shingles, and gravel. The grapes undergo traditional fermentation followed by aging in oak barrels to marry the grape's natural, vibrant dark fruit and floral notes with a subtle, structured complexity. This cuvée celebrates the deep-rooted agricultural heritage of the region, delivering a profile rich in blackberries, cracked black pepper, and violets, underpinned by a refined mineral backbone.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet, Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné is one of the most revered estates in the Rhône Valley, situated along the storied slopes of Tain-l'Hermitage. Since 2006, the maison has entered a dynamic era under the leadership of the Frey family, with viticulturist and winemaker Caroline Frey converting the prized terroirs entirely to organic and biodynamic cultivation. The house is universally acclaimed for crafting benchmark Rhône expressions, most famously the legendary Hermitage 'La Chapelle' and the iconic 'Domaine de Thalabert' Crozes-Hermitage, alongside vibrant Côtes du Rhône cuvées like the 'Parallèle 45' range. Combining precision cellar craft with an unwavering commitment to parcel-specific biodiversity, Paul Jaboulet Aîné produces structured, age-worthy Syrahs and elegant, aromatic white wines that epitomize the grand cru heritage of the region.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Syrah (min 90%)