Paul Jaboulet Aîné – Saint Joseph “Le grand Pompée” 2022

Paul Jaboulet Ainé, an emblematic Rhône Valley house known for its prestigious cuvées such as La Chapelle, remains a benchmark even for its more accessible wines.
For over two centuries, this institution has embodied excellence. Le Grand Pompée is now one of the house’s emblems, and this becomes clear from the very first tasting. Its perfect balance is revealed through silky, well-melted tannins. Intense aromatic persistence promises remarkable length, accompanied by finely integrated oak.

Fine and delicate, Saint-Joseph wines were already appreciated in the XVIᵉ century and featured at the table of the kings of France. Originally known as vin de Mauves (in reference to the eponymous village, whose name derives from the Latin Malva, meaning “purple color”), they took on their current name in the XVIIᵉ century thanks to the Jesuits of Tournon-sur-Rhône.

Between 1956 and 1969, the vineyards of this Côtes du Rhône region were grouped together to form the A.O.C. Saint-Joseph, consecrating their reputation.

Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné’s Saint-Joseph red and white name draws its inspiration from Victor Hugo’s La Légende des siècles. This story recalls a battle in the IXᵉ century when the Great Pompey, a loyal companion of Charlemagne, fought the Moors on the right bank of the Rhône. A famous line from this epic survives: “Et du vin de ce vin qu’aimait le Grand Pompée”.