Wine Advisor Stories: A Syrah to Make Him Eat His Words

A Syrah to Make Him Eat His Words
He had opinions. She had Hermitage.

The weekend at the family lake house was always fun—but like most family affairs, full of opinions, both welcome and unwelcome.

Especially from Jamie’s uncle, who, last year, somehow managed to work the sentence “I just prefer wines made by men” into the the conversation at the final dinner, the annual lamb roast!

At these gatherings, there was always a friendly contest: who brought the best wine? The best pairing? The most talked-about bottle? So when the weekend approached the next year, Jamie called her wine advisor.

“I need a knock-your-socks-off wine from a female winemaker. Something extraordinary. Something to pair with lamb for everyone but my uncle. His main course needs to be a humble slice of crow.”

These are the types of phone calls we live for, and wow, did we have the perfect bottle for her.

2009 La Chapelle, Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage.

A legendary bottle—recognizable, reputable, and disarming. Jamie set it out in plain view: Paul Jaboulet, a name the uncle wouldn’t question for a second.

When the table unanimously voted that it was the clear winner for the evening, Jamie knew it was time for the reveal:

“It may say Paul Jaboulet on the label, but that wine was made by Caroline Frey. Her family bought Jaboulet in 2006 and she was just 30 years old when she took over winemaking..and she’s the reason this estate is back at the top of the Rhône game, getting 98+ point scores almost every vintage.”

There was a beat of silence. Then the uncle gave a short nod and tipped his glass,

“Well… she nailed it.”

The conversation moved on, but something had shifted. Not just opinions—but attention. Toward the story behind the bottle. The hands that made it. The meaning it carried.

Yes, Jamie did bring the wine to make a point. But it wasn’t just about proving someone wrong—it was about honoring someone right.

And that, in the end, was what made it unforgettable.

This summer, whether you’re headed to a backyard dinner or a weekend by the lake, we’re here to help you find a bottle that brings something more to the table.