Tasty and affordable, we review the latest vintage of the Paul Jaboulet Aîné Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45.
53% Grenache, 41% Syrah, 3% Marselan and 3% Carignan made from organically grown grapes from 40+ year-old vines right next to Chateauneuf du Pape in the Rhone Valley of France. The wine is aged for 6 months in stainless steel vats.
Sample submitted for review. The 2023 Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone is available for $12-$15. It is imported by Kobrand Corporation.
From the winery:
A classic since 1950, Parallèle 45 is the oldest Côtes du Rhône brand still in existence. Parallèle 45 is named after the 45th parallel, a famous circle of latitude that passes over the cellars of Paul Jaboulet Aîné. It is known as the “Latitude of Great Wines”, crossing over Willamette Valley in Oregon, Bordeaux in France, Piedmont in Italy, and of course the Rhône Valley in France.
The grapes for Parallèle 45 are farmed organically. They grow on 40-year-old vines in clayey limestone and alluvial deposits composed of round pebbles. The grapes are destemmed, crushed, and the juice undergoes fermentation. The wine is then aged for 6 months in stainless steel vats.
Harvest Note: The 2023 vintage began with a rainy autumn with a dry winter. Flowering took place in mid-May in good conditions. The summer months were relatively moderate with a few days of very hot weather. Overall, the good weather conditions enabled most plots to ripen in healthy conditions.
Tasting Note: Garnet red in color, this fruit-forward wine has notes of strawberry, cherry and spices with a powerful finish
Food Pairing: Lasagna with Mediterranean vegetables, fondant au chocolat
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GRAPES: Grenache (53%), Syrah (41%), Marselan (3%), Carignan (3%)
APPELLATION: Côtes du Rhône AOC
PH: 3.72
ACIDITY: 4.65
AGING: 6 months in stainless steel vats14.5% Alcohol
We love a good Rhone wine, especially those that deliver at a low price. And today’s example comes from the well-respected Paul Jaboulet Aîné, who produces the renowned Hermitage La Chapelle bottling that routinely retails for around $200 a bottle for recent vintages and much more for older ones. Let’s check out how this much less expensive bottle tastes!
The 2023 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone opens with an attractive aroma of smoky black cherry, strawberry and touches of baking spice. It’s a good start.
The wine tastes smooth, balanced and structured, and while it is quite easy to drink it also has decent depth to it. It does need a couple of hours to open up to be at its best though.
It ends dry, smooth and a bit grippy on the long finish and was similar on day 2. Overall, this is a nice, easy example of Cotes du Rhone at a great price.
2023 Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone
You can find more of our selections for the best French Wines under $25 here.
You can also find more of our favorite organic wines here.
Review Summary
Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45 Review • Reverse Wine Snob
Tasty and affordable, we review the latest vintage of the Paul Jaboulet Aîné Cotes du Rhone Parallele 45.
7.8
Pros
- 89-90 Points, Highly Recommended
- Nice example of a Cotes du Rhone red at a great price
Cons
- Nothing not to like
