In the vineyard
Many of you ask us when drinking our Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Here are some tasting notes posted ​​by our prescribers or by ourselves,
sorted by cuvée and by vintage. Enjoy!
Tradition Blanc
Beautifully done, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc should be snatched up by savvy readers. Offering beautiful notes of ripe pineapple, caramelized peach, white flowers, and a touch of salty minerality, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture, beautifully integrated acidity, and a big finish. This cuvée has an incredible track record for aging, and it can be enjoyed now or cellared for upwards of 15-20 years, if you're so inclined.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2020.
Prestige Blanc
The flagship white from this incredible estate is a more Roussanne-dominated blend that also includes Grenache Blanc and Clairette, brought up in used demi-muids. The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Prestige Blanc will certainly be one of the whites of the vintage. It reveals a medium gold hue as well as a killer nose of caramelized pineapple, ripe white peach, white flowers, salty minerality, and a touch of toasty barrique. With full-bodied richness, a grand cru Burgundy-like texture, no hard edges, and a monster of a finish, this serious, opulent, powerful white will benefit from a year in bottle and drink nicely for 15-20 years or more.
Leading off the 2019 Châteauneuf du Papes, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape reveals a ruby/purple, almost opaque hue to go with a beautifully Provençal, medium to full-bodied style as well as classy notes of peppery garrigue, spiced meat, black raspberries, and jammy blackberries. Nicely textured, with a terrific mid-palate as well as a great finish. this is a rock-solid, classic, traditional cuvée from this estate that will be approachable with short-term cellaring and evolve for 15-20 years or more.
Chaupin
The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin looks to be a magical wine in the making. It has everything you could want from this region as well as from Grenache. Revealing a medium ruby/purple, almost opaque color as well as a gorgeous bouquet of kirsch liqueur, wild strawberries, loamy soil, peppery garrigue, and flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. This is one of those incredible wines that delivers serious intensity and richness yet stays weightless and is as elegant as they come. It's going to be approachable with just 2-3 years of bottle age yet will have 20 years or more of longevity.
Lovers of brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape should snatch up bottles of the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes, which comes mostly from the northeastern sector of the appellation, from the La Janasse lieu-dit as well as from the La Crau lieu-dit. Revealing a deeper ruby/plum color to go with a spectacular bouquet of peppery garrigue, smoked meats, blackcurrants, black cherries, and truffly earth, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness and has no hard edges, with building tannins and another blockbuster of a finish. While this wine is always rich and powerful, it's the level of elegance and purity that really sets it apart in this vintage. Give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 20+ years or more.
A blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Clairette, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape has a clean, crisp bouquet of white peach, white flowers, honeysuckle, and subtle minerality. It's rich, textured, and beautifully balanced, with good acidity and a rich, layered finish.
Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2019.
Tasted out of bottle, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Prestige Blanc offers a more Burgundian, chiseled, mineral-laced style to go with beautiful notes of caramelized peach, white flowers, crushed stone, and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, and elegant on the palate, it still packs plenty of oomph and has incredible length on the finish. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.
The 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape showed nicely, with the more charming, supple, elegant style of the vintage front and center. Giving up classic Provençal notes of kirsch liqueur, dried strawberries, flowery incense, truffle, and peppery garrigue, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness and has beautiful overall balance, silky tannins, and a great finish. It's already upfront, complex, and drinking nicely, yet should nevertheless evolve gracefully for a solid decade.
Another wine that displays the vintage profile, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin reveals a translucent medium ruby color as well as pure Grenache notes of kirsch and strawberry fruits intermixed with lots of white pepper, Provençal garrigue, and toasted spice-like aromas and flavors. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has a seamless texture, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. I'm inclined to recommend drinking this in its first decade of life, but I do love its balance and it has ripe tannins, so I expect it will actually evolve gracefully for a solid 15 years or more. It's a pretty, elegant, classy wine that I would be thrilled to drink.
Showing nicely, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes shows the softer, elegant style of the vintage yet still has ample depth of fruit as well as a classic profile. Notes or red and black fruits, peppery herbs, nori, licorice, and scorched earth all give way to a full-bodied, beautifully balanced 2018. It's already hard to resist, with silky tannins and no hard edges, and it says weightless on the palate. It's not going to be the longest-lived version of this cuvée but it's going to put a smile on your face anytime over the coming 10-15 years.
The 2017 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc includes slightly more Clairette and less Grenache than normal, all due to the difficulty in the yields of Grenache in 2017. Bottled in May, it offers a purity and elegance that's hard to find as well as notes of white flowers, white peach, honeysuckle, and spice. With subtle minerality, medium to full body, and nicely integrated acidity, it's a classic white from Janasse that will keep for two decades or more.
Including more Clairette and slightly less Grenache than normal, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Prestige Blanc was bottled in October of last year and was brought up all in demi-muid. It has a straight, focused style that carries ample richness and concentration as well as notes of caramelized peach, crushed citrus, brioche, white flowers, and spice. It's another rich, powerful wine from this team that stays fresh, balanced, and pure. It needs a year of bottle age, but it's a brilliant white!
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape from this team checks in as 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and the rest Cinsault and other permitted varieties brought up in foudre and barrels. A sexy nose of kirsch liqueur, blackberries, flowery incense, and ground pepper gives way to a medium to full-bodied, layered, elegant wine that has plenty of tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish.
Deeper colored, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin comes mostly from the Chaupoin lieu-dit yet always has small parts from La Janasse and a sandy part of the La Crau lieu-dit. Blackberries, ground herbs, graphite, and new leather notes all emerge from this concentrated, rich, powerful wine that stays tight, focused, and elegant on the palate. It's a killer wine, but it's going to need time.
The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is another killer effort from this estate. Coming from the La Janasse and La Crau lieux-dits and brought up in foudre, its deep purple color is followed by blockbuster notes of crème de cassis, blackberries, chocolate, graphite, and earthy, rocky, mineral-like nuances. It's deep and full-bodied, with a ripe, powerful yet balanced style and a great finish. A classic example of this cuvée. it's going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for two decades or more.
Moving to their Châteauneuf du Papes and a blend of 40% Roussanne and the rest Grenache Blanc and Clairette, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc now has the Roussanne brought up in demi-muid as opposed to the barriques, with the goal of better-integrated oak. Orchard fruits, lemon, honeysuckle, and hints of buttered citrus all emerge from this gorgeous, elegant, seamless white that has both richness and elegance. With integrated acidity, impeccable balance and a great finish, it offers pleasure today, yet will keep for decades.
One of the finest whites made in the vintage is unquestionably the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Prestige Blanc from Janasse. Based on 70% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc and the rest a mix of varieties, vinified and aged in demi-muids (there are only two barrels), it has rock star notes of white peaches, caramelized citrus, white flowers, spice, and subtle tangerine-like exotic notes. It's a rich, medium to full-bodied, concentrated white that has vibrant acidity, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. There are few Rhône whites better than this beauty. Drink it anytime over the coming two decades.
Moving to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape from bottle, the 2016 vintage was described as having the power of 2010 and similar to yet fresher than 2007. The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers a great bouquet of black raspberries, tapenade, crushed violets, and spring flowers, and shares lots of similarities to the Chaupin cuvée (and it's less expensive!). Full-bodied, incredibly elegant and seamless, it might be the finest traditional cuvée ever produced from this estate.
The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is incredible stuff, and while I suspect it's the best vintage to date, it's going to be great comparing it to bottles of the 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2015 over the coming 15+ years. This beauty offers a thrilling blend of kirsch, blackberries, smoked earth, graphite, and licorice on the nose. It's full-bodied, deep, pure, ultra-fine, and powerful on the palate and flirts with perfection. It's a tour de force in Grenache that readers need to snatch up!
The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes gives up more cassis, tapenade, underbrush, cured meats, and earth, and it's a slightly more dense, backward wine compared to the Chaupin. Full-bodied and beautifully concentrated, with tons of structure, it stays fresh and elegant, has sweet tannins, and a blockbuster finish. It's an incredible, borderline perfect wine from this estate that will keep for two decades or more.
The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape XXL has only been made previously in the 2007 vintage, and there are around 400 cases of this beauty in 2016. Coming from old vines near Beaucastel, La Crau, and Saumade, which are all rolled stone terroirs, it's mostly Grenache (there's 10% Mourvèdre) brought up primarily in demi-muids. This incredible wine is deep ruby/purple-colored with a massive nose of black fruits, scorched earth, graphite, incense, and pepper. Deep, hugely concentrated, pure, fine and yet still elegant, it's a magical, heavenly wine that's going to keep for 3-4 decades. While the style at Janasse has shifted to one of slightly more freshness and elegance since 2007, this is much more in the style of the old days and is guaranteed to make your blood pressure jump about 10 points or more!
The base 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc is another killer effort. Made from 40% Roussanne and 30% each of Grenache Blanc and Clairette, it offers copious amounts of sautéed peach, tangerine and orange blossom to go with beautiful fruit and texture on the palate. Possessing vibrant acidity and a clean, crisp finish, I'd drink it over the coming 3-4 years, but you can keep this cuvée for decades.
And a candidate for the white of the vintage, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige Blanc is 80% old vine Roussanne and 20% Grenache Blanc (there's splash of other varieties in there) and was bottled the day before this tasting, although it wasn't showing worse for it. It has thrilling amounts of buttered citrus, pineapple, stone fruits and brioche, with its oak component perfectly integrated and pushed into the background. Full-bodied, layered and incredibly textured, yet always fresh and pure, hats off to the Sabon family for this sensational white! It will be better this time next year, and like the base cuvée, can be cellared for decades.
The standard blend of mostly 75% Grenache blended with 20% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape sports a medium ruby color and notes of black cherries, black raspberries, crushed flowers, and potpourri. Fine, elegant and seamless, with beautiful tannin quality, it's a classic, elegant 2015 to drink over the coming decade or more
The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is another elegant, seamless example of this cuvée that shines for its complexity and length. Black raspberries, black cherries, dried flowers, incense, and spice note all emerge from this incredibly pretty, nuanced and silky beauty. With polished tannin and solid length, it's going to keep for 10-15 years. It lacks the depth of a truly great year but is a fabulous wine that just sings of Grenache.
The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes shows the finesse of the Cuvée Chaupin, yet adds more richness and depth. Blackcurrants, spice-box, licorice and roasted garrigue all emerge from this rich, full-bodied, exceedingly elegant and finesse-driven beauty. It has building tannin, and a great, great finish, all while playing in the more fresh, elegant style of the vintage.
Checking in as a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Clairette and the rest Roussanne, the Sabons' 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc is one of the whites of the vintage. Raised 60% in tank and 40% in barrel, it offers killer notes of salted melon, ripe peach, pineapple and hints of salty minerality to go with a medium to full-bodied, layered and seamlessly textured style on the palate. While 2014 yielded mostly mid-weight, fresh and simple whites, this has real depth and length. If you love southern Rhône whites (and I do), don't miss this! It will have two decades of longevity if you're so inclined (bottles wouldn't last long at my house).
Unfortunately, there's just four barrels of the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Prestige Blanc. Made from 60% Roussanne and the rest Grenache Blanc and Clairette, it goes completely through malolactic fermentation and is raised all in barrel before bottling without filtration (same for the traditional white as well). A profound effort that rivals Beaucastel's old vine Roussanne cuvée for the top white in the appellation, it reveals a medium gold color to go with lots of citrus oil, buttered peach, pineapple and mint. Full-bodied, layered, incredibly pure and clean, with a chiseled feel on the palate, it will be better this time next year and can be kept for as long as you'd like.
The 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape is a good, maybe not great, effort in the vintage. Offering a medium-bodied, slightly mid-weight texture, with firm tannin, it gives up pretty notes of strawberries, blackberries, dried earth and herbes de Provence. It's a charming effort to drink over the coming 6-8 years.
Another wine with a Burgundian style, the 100% Grenache 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is a forward, sexy 2014 that offers elegant notes of strawberries, kirsch, ground herbs and spice in a medium to full-bodied, lightly textured, balanced package. Drink it over the coming decade.
A step up, with additional richness and depth, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes includes more Mourvèdre than normal, as Christophe wanted to add additional structure. It offers classic notes of black currants, kirsch, licorice and cured meats in a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated style. Possessing ripe tannin, a silky, elegant style and outstanding length, it too is ideal for drinking anytime over the coming decade.
One of the top whites in the appellation, the Sabon's 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc is jaw-dropping good. A blend of equal parts Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Clairette that goes through malo and is aged in 40% new oak, it boasts smoking notes of white peach, honeysuckle, brioche and salty minerality. Medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure and with building richness, it's a spectacular white that I'd recommend drinking over the coming 3-4 years, but it will certainly evolve for decades (I've had them back to the '80s and they always show beautifully).
Even more rich and textured, yet still every bit as fresh, pure and precise, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige Blanc is a 70/30 mix of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. Seeing no new oak, it's a medium to full-bodied, rich, layered and decadent beauty that boasts phenomenal notes of golden fruits, brioche, white flowers and a subtle saltiness that comes out more on the palate. It's one of the top 2-3 wines in the appellation and should not be missed.
A great wine – from a difficult vintage – that shows the talent and hard work of this brother/sister pair, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape reveals a healthy ruby/purple color to go with perfumed notes of black and red raspberry, pepper, licorice and violets. Medium plus in body and elegant, with gorgeous purity and fine tannin, drink this terrific 2013 over the coming 8-10 years.
One of the wines of the vintage is the Grenache-dominated 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Chaupin. Coming mostly from a cool terroir in the northeast corner of the appellation (just to the east of Beaucastel), this wine is vinified with a small portion of stems and aged mostly in foudre (one-third is in demi-muids). It has gorgeous Grenache flair in its black raspberry, garrigue, spring flower and licorice scented bouquet. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, and layered 2013 that has more texture and sweet fruit than just about every other wine in the vintage. I'd drink it anytime over the coming 4-5 years, but it will have 10-15 years of overall longevity.
While the cuvée Chaupin comes mostly from sandy soils, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes comes more from the rolled pebble soils the region is famous for, and always shows the richer, more powerful profile imparted from these soils. Mostly foudre-aged Grenache, it incorporates 20% Mourvèdre and roughly 10% Syrah (slightly more Syrah in 2013) that's raised all in barrel. Exhibiting a deep purple color, it offers fabulous dark berry fruits, licorice, Provençal herbs and earthy/stony minerality on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, ripe and with impressive sweetness to its tannin, it's a fabulous wine that will have 10-15 years of overall longevity.
A blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Clairette and 20% Roussanne, the surprisingly rich, textured 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc exhibits plenty of buttered peach and tropical fruit to go with tinges of vanilla and brioche. Full-bodied, rich and textured, with superb mid-palate depth, enjoy this classy, serious effort over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2013
Even better, and one of the leading whites in the appellation, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige is comprised of 60% Roussanne and the balance Grenache Blanc and Clairette. Going completely through malolactic fermentation, it got a big "Wow" in my notes. White peach, citrus blossom, pear, vanilla cream and lemon curd all emerge from this brilliantly focused, seamless and incredibly fresh white. Balancing its richness and freshness perfectly and a joy to drink, it should be consumed over the coming 3-4 years. Drink now-2017.
The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape (70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvedre) is beautiful, with medium to full-bodied richness, lots of sweet black raspberry fruit, graphite, bouquet garni and licorice aromatics, and sweet, building tannin that comes through on the finish. It shows the purity and balance of the vintage, and will dish out loads of pleasure over the coming decade or more.
The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin, which I was able to taste (and drink) from multiple bottles, is a beautiful Grenache that comes from the cooler, northeastern edge of the appellation. Coming almost all from the Chapouin lieu-dit (it gets a small bit from La Janasse), it gives up the classic notes of black berries, spring flowers, violets, and licorice that I always seem to find in this cuvee. Building nicely on the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, has tons of sweet fruit and solid, if not firm, tannin that come out on the finish. It will be better in another couple of years and have 15+ years of overall longevity.
Up in the top handful of wines in the vintage (which should come as no surprise to anyone who follows this estate), the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, rich and layered Châteauneuf that doesn't put a foot wrong. Made from 85% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, it offers blockbuster notes of blackberry, liquid-violets, spice and serious minerality to go with awesome mid-palate depth and layers of sweet tannin. Like the Cuvee Chaupin, it will be better in another handful of years and thrill through 2027.
The crisp, elegant 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc (40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Clairette and 20% Roussanne) offers up aromas of candle wax, poached pears, ripe pineapples and other tropical fruits. This fresh, lively, medium to full-bodied white wine is exceptionally pure. It should drink well for 4-5 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2012.
The Burgundian-styled 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige, which is composed of 70% Roussanne and the rest Clairette and Grenache Blanc. There are about 100 cases of this beauty, which is vinified in new oak and kept in barrel, then bottled within a year of the vintage. The wine reveals a stunning perfume of orange marmalade, honeysuckle, apricot jam, rose petals and tropical fruits. Full-bodied and pure with the oak pushed to the background, it should drink nicely for several years, perhaps longer, but it is always a risk to age these wines beyond 3-4 years.
The 2011 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a rocking effort in a more difficult vintage. A mostly destemmed blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre that is aged 80% in vat and 20% in one-third new oak, it possesses outstanding aromas of framboise and black raspberry that is intermixed with lavender, violet, rolled stone, and licorice. Medium-bodied, elegant, and beautifully balanced, with surprising freshness and quality tannin, it should be approachable on release, and drink well for 10-12 years.
Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2012.
Coming from a cooler, sandy terroir in the northeastern part of the appellation, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin (which comes 80% from the Chaupoin lieu-dit and 20% from the La Janasse lieu-dit, hence the subtle name change) is 100% Grenache, from vines planted in 1912, that's aged two-thirds in foudre and one-third in demi-muid. Gorgeous all around, with plenty of similarities to the traditional cuvee, yet slightly richer and fuller, it delivers beautiful mulled red and black fruits, licorice, spice and tinges of stony minerality on the nose. Full-bodied, supple, seamless and elegant, with fine tannin, it makes the most of a difficult vintage and is certainly one of the top 10-12 wines. Drink now-2023.
And a candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is always a rough blend of 85% Grenache and the balance Syrah, Mourvedre, Clairette and other permitted varieties, that has the Grenache aged all in foudre and the Syrah and Mourvedre aged in one-third new barrels (that's less than 6% of the blend in new barrels). Exhibiting gorgeous black fruits, spice-box, toast, licorice and roasted meat-like qualities on the nose, it is full-bodied, concentrated and layered on the palate, with loads of texture, yet delivers no weight, heat, or ever puts a foot wrong. Shockingly good in the vintage, it should not be missed. Hats off to Christophe and Isabelle. Drink now-2027.
Even better is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, a blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette and 30% Roussanne. Sabon has the courage to put this wine through malolactic so he does not have to filter it, and the result is a zesty wine displaying lots of pear, pineapple, white peach and rosewater notes, great fruit, a medium to full-bodied texture, fresh acids and a luscious finish.
There are 75 cases of the limited production cuvee of 60% Roussanne and the rest Bourboulenc, Clairette and Grenache Blanc aged in 2-3 year old small barrels, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige. A staggering perfume of orange rinds, honeysuckle, apricots, rose petals and candle wax jump from this full-bodied, unctuously textured yet precise white. This is a sensational white Chateauneuf du Pape, and the 2009 is equal in quality, but slightly less fresh and perhaps more evolved and on a faster aging track.
Showing brilliantly from tank last year, and not disappointing from bottle this year, the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a stunning bottle of wine! A blend of 80% Grenache and equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre, its opaque purple color is followed by knockout aromas of blackberry liqueur, flower oil, liquid mineral, licorice, and graphite. Not losing a beat on the palate either, with a full-bodied, structured, and edgy feel, as well as brilliant purity of fruit, this serious, age-worthy effort needs a handful of years in the cellar, and has 15-20 years or more of total longevity. While the chase will be on for the Cuvée Chaupin and Vieilles Vignes bottlings, do not overlook this wine!
Tasted no fewer than three times (rated 99 once and 98 two other times) and up there with, and probably eclipsing, the '07, the 2010 Cuvée Chaupin is a spectacular blend of 100% Grenache that is from a cooler terroir in the northwest part of the appellation. Seeming like the essence of Grenache, it offers up an extraordinary perfume of black raspberry, spring flowers, licorice, and roasted meat-like qualities on the nose. This is followed by a full-bodied, dense, and thrillingly concentrated wine that has fresh acids, a seamless, surprisingly light and elegant texture, and masses of tannin that emerge on the finish. While there is enough texture to keep it interesting now, it really needs 4-5 years of bottle age, and will drink well for 2-3 decades.
More rich and voluptuous, yet with a similar level of purity and precision, the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes offers up loads of creamy blackberry, raspberry liqueur, melted licorice, wild flowers, and toasted spice nuances on the nose. Every bit as good on the palate, with a thrilling texture, full-bodied power, and gorgeous underlying structure and tannin, this knockout Châteauneuf-du-Pape stays light and elegant, with nothing out of place or over the top. As with the Chaupin, it is no doubt a brilliant drink now, yet it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age, and will shine for two decades or more!
The outstanding 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc (40% tank-aged Grenache Blanc, 30% tank-aged Clairette and 30% barrel-aged Roussanne) reveals notes of white peaches, honeysuckle, quince and white currants. The sumptuous perfume is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with excellent texture, good acidity and superb purity as well as character. It should be consumed over the next 2-3 years.
A grand cru white Burgundy look-alike, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige is a 100-case blend of 70% Roussanne and the rest Grenache and Clairette. Aromas of orange marmalade, honeysuckle, apricot jam and candle wax are followed by a full-bodied, full-throttle yet wonderfully precise and pure white. It should drink well for 2-3 years, possibly longer.
A brilliant bottle of wine (the best base cuvee out there?), the 2009 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a mostly destemmed blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre that's aged 80% in vat, and 20% in 1/3 new French oak. It delivers straight-up gorgeous aromas of blackberry and raspberry jam, creamy licorice, spice, and underbrush to go with a full-bodied, awesomely textured and yet focused palate. This beautifully fresh, balanced Châteauneuf-du-Pape is well built and loaded with sweet tannin on the finish; while approachable now due to the wealth of fruit, it should age effortlessly for 15+ years.
From a cool, late ripening vineyard located in the northern portion of the AOC and vines planted in 1912, the prodigious 2009 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is 100% Grenache in '09, with 30% aged in ¼ new French oak and the rest in vat. It yields a decidedly voluptuous profile with decadent black fruits and raspberry that are intermixed with underbrush, fresh-snipped flowers, licorice, and edgy minerality. Showing brilliant concentration and richness, perfect balance, and incredible freshness, this classic Chaupin is up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage and should drink beautifully for 15+ years. Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2011.
More smoky and dark fruited than the Cuvée Chaupin, the 2009 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, from four separate parcels of varying soil types, possesses the same level of freshness and purity. A blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, and 2% assorted varieties, with 25% of the blend aged in small barrels (40% of which are new) and the rest in vat, it exhibits an absolutely thrilling array of blackberry, licorice, roasted meats, dark chocolate, and smoke aromas on the nose. While there's serious ripeness here, it stays amazingly fresh and vibrant, never seeming thick of heavy. Every bit as solid on the palate, this full-bodied, powerful, yet elegant Châteauneuf-du-Pape is unctuously textured and possesses a seamless, silky profile, with masses of sweet tannin on the finish. Unquestionably one of the top 2 or 3 wines in '09, this can be consumed now, or cellared for a decade or longer. Thrilling stuff and hats off to Sabon family! Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2011.
There is no 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc Cuvee Prestige, so all of the Roussanne was declassified into the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc. This wine won the top prize for white Chateauneufs at the festival held by the village's vignerons called St.-Marc. Gorgeous aromas of white peaches, flowers, and candied lemons are followed by a crisp, full-bodied white with great acidity, an enticing, medium-bodied texture, and a long finish. One of the top white 2008 Chateauneuf du Papes I tasted, it should drink well for 2-4 years.
There was no Chaupin bottling in '08 and the grapes from this vineyard were included in the base Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wine is very solid for the vintage and exhibits blackberry and raspberry fruit, graphite, touches of pepper, and baking spices. Medium bodied with a light, smooth texture, admirable balance and a clean finish, this should drink beautifully over the next decade.
One of the few domaines to produce a special cuvee in '08, the Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is medium weight with spicy dark fruits framing subtle graphite and mineral aromatics. Medium bodied and fresh on the palate, the wine displays good acidity, a straight, compact texture, ripe tannin and a classy, long finish. While this lacks the depth that this cuvee normally delivers, the elegance and class on the finish are superb. Drink over the next 10 to 12 years.
The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc is a terrific success. Showing even better after a year in bottle, this blend of 30% barrel-fermented Roussanne and the rest Clairette and Grenache Blanc exhibits lots of floral notes interwoven with tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and lemon zest characteristics. Full-bodied with a beautiful light gold color as well as an enticing texture, it can be consumed over the next 1-2 years.
There are fewer than 100 cases of the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige, a barrel-fermented blend of 70% Roussanne and 30% white Grenache. Its light gold color is followed by grand cru white Burgundy-like notes of buttered citrus, honeysuckle, peaches, ripe pears, and brioche. I have no idea how long this beautiful white will last, but it is irresistible now, and is probably best drunk over the next 2-3 years.
Bright, clean and with gorgeous purity and lift, the 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape shows mineral and licorice laced dark fruit aromatics, medium to full body, awesome texture and a structured, long finish.
Absolutely stunning, the 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is packed with pure, clean and fresh aromas of assorted dark fruits, blackberry, lavender, flowers and spice. On the palate, it's full bodied with beautifully sweet fruit ripe, fine grained tannins, perfect balance and a finish that simply won't quite. This has the fruit to drink well young but the structure to age for 20 years. Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2009.
One of the top wines in the vintage, the 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre and 2% various and has 25% of the wine being aged in 40% new barrels. It offers up ripe, dark aromatics of cassis, blackberry, spice and grilled meat that are both fresh and decadent at the same time. These lead into a full bodied, massive palate that is perfectly balanced with amazing fruit and a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. While this will last for decades, the sheer seamlessness and balance should have it drinkable on release. Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2009.
Deep and layered, with decadent, chocolaty black fruits, crushed flowers, fruit cake, meat juice, and licorice, the 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée XXL is one stunning bottle of wine! Seemingly richer and more compact that the straight Vieilles Vignes (certainly not as upfront and approachable currently), yet still showing superb purity and freshness, the wine is full-bodied and stunningly concentrated and rich on the palate, boasting a thick, chewy texture, perfect balance, and a blockbuster finish. While there is a wealth of sweet fruit on the palate, there's also serious structure, loads of depth and plenty of ripe tannin on the finish. I followed this bottle for two days and it was as good on the second day as the first, giving me some confidence on how it will develop. No doubt, this is a profound bottle of wine that is a treat to drink now; however, I would plan on giving bottles a minimum of 8-10 years in the cellar before consuming.
The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc is made from 40% white Grenache, 30% Roussanne, and 30% Clairette. It is put through full malolactic and aged in barrel, but the wood is not a factor in the wine's aromatics or flavors. Crisp underlying acidity buttresses a relatively full-bodied, fleshy wine with a real taste of the soil. As I said last year, there is something very Alsatian Riesling about the character of this wine. It is medium to full-bodied, dry, crisp, and fresh. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.
Sadly, less than 1,000 bottles were made of the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige. Made from 70% Roussanne and the rest the other permitted white varietals of Chateauneuf du Pape and aged in old barrels, the wine has stunning richness, a classic rose petal nose intermixed with orange marmalade, nectarine, pear, and lychee. The wine is full-bodied, with beautiful texture, purity, and crisp acidity. It should drink nicely for 4-5 years, possibly a lot longer.
Just gorgeous right out of the gate, the 2006 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape leads off with a big blast of spicy raspberry fruit, leather, minerals and garrigue notes that lead into a medium to full bodied palate. Balanced and with a traditional feel, this has a beautiful, tannic finish.
Jeb Dunnuck, janvier 2009.
A 100% old vine Grenache wine from the cool climate Chapoin vineyard located in the northern part of the region, the 2006 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Chaupin offers up gorgeous aromatics of cassis and raspberry fruit mixed with minerals, flowers, licorice and subtle roasted meat notes. Ripe and dark, this has stunning purity paired with fantastic delineation and depth. It's medium to full bodied on the palate with pure, clean fruit that carries into a long finish. This is a balanced, textured beauty that needs an hour of air time to really shine and will drink well for the next 15 to 20 years.
Jeb Dunnuck, mai 2009.
The 2006 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes possesses stunningly pure, clean aromatics of spiced dark berry compote, plum sauce and graphite intermixed with floral and licorice nuances. It's dark, rich and has beautiful clarity and precision. The palate is medium to full bodied with a rich, seamless texture, impressive balance and a long finish. While this doesn't have the sheer power of the previous vintages, it's smooth, lush and has plenty of upfront appeal. Drink this over the next 10 to 15 years.
Jeb Dunnuck, février 2009.
The two cuvees of 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc include the regular cuvee, which includes about 30% Roussanne and exhibits honeysuckle and tropical fruits in a medium to full-bodied, lively style despite the fact it is one of a handful of Chateauneuf du Papes to be put through malolactic.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., février 2007.
Rich and layered, with lots of tropical fruit–mango and guava–but this is also pure and fresh, with white peach, floral and mineral notes. Then the rich finish takes over, showing hints of honey and wheat biscuit. An impressive display of power and finesse. Drink now through 2013.
James Molesworth, novembre 2007.
Domaine de la Janasse's 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is stunning stuff that is clean, pure and precise. The nose is big and perfumed with dark fruit, raspberry, spice, earth and licorice notes. The palate really shines on the this wine and is medium to full bodied with a gorgeous texture, rich fruit and a very long finish.
Jeb Dunnuck, avril 2007.
Almost always one of my favorite wines in any vintage and the 2005 is no exception. Surprisingly, the Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is slightly closed and compact but even so, everything is perfectly balanced and the wine is simply silky, full and smooth. With some coaxing, beautiful raspberry, kirsch, earth and an almost meaty character show up on the nose. The palate is medium to full bodied, compact but with perfect balance and a very long finish.
A blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, 2% various. The 2005 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes was drank over two days and is simply a stunning wine that is the equal of anything produced in this vintage (IMHO). The color is an inky black and is completely opaque. The nose shows amazingly levels of rich fruit and at this point, the depth and richness of the fruit reminds me of a Foley Claret…. crazy I know but it's simply that decadent… Black currant, blackberry, graphite, licorice and mineral notes make up the bulk of the aromas and while this is aged mostly in old foudres (it does see some new barrique), the richness gives this a decidedly modern feel. With air this picks up a slightly meaty, earthy note. The palate is full bodied with massive concentration, perfect balance and a gorgeous, weighty texture. The fruit is sweet and leads into a long finish.
The outstanding 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc (a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Roussanne, and 30% Clairette that was put through malolactic) possesses ripe, waxy, round, full-bodied flavors revealing hints of orange marmalade, lemon blossom, and litchi nuts. This distinctive white wine should drink well for 3-4 years.
Even better than the regular bottling is the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige. Keep in mind 2004 was an exquisite vintage for white wines, and this wine, made from 100% Roussanne, shows fabulous intensity, great definition, and beautiful purity and length. It is a knock-out and one of the three or four best white Chateauneuf du Papes of the appellation.
The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape (80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre) is another outstanding effort from this estate. Loaded with sweet fruit, licorice, blackberry and garrigue, this supple, forward beauty is all about fruit and texture. Complex, mature and ready to go, enjoy bottles over the coming couple of years.
The 2004 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin boast a big, perfumed nose of raspberry and cherry fruit, licorice, vanilla and minerals. Just dark, rich and deep. With air the vanilla notes integrate and subtle coffee, tobacco, smoke and floral notes show up. The palate is silky and smooth and strikes a perfect balance between the acidity, fruit and tannin. This improved with air and showed fined grained, silky tannins on the very long finish. Just a delicious, elegant yet powerful wine that is a joy to drink right now.
One of the top wine of the vintage, the 2004 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes shows the typical Vieilles Vignes profile but in a toned down, more streamlined and dare I say, elegant version. The nose shows perfectly ripe black berry and cassis fruit aromas that are complemented by graphite, minerals, saddle leather and subtle garrigue notes. This is probably as feminie a Vieille Vignes as you're going to get and the palate is medium to full bodied with impressive, pure fruit, beautiful delineation and a precise texture that leads into a long, clean finish. Drink this beauty over the next 10 to 12 years.
Having been put through malolactic, the tasty 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc (50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, and 20% Roussanne) reveals elegant notes of citrus oil, orange, pear, and lemon. This medium to full-bodied, pure white is best consumed over the next 1-2 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., décembre 2004.
The barrel-fermented (no new oak) 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige blanc is a blend of 70% Roussanne and 30% Grenache Blanc. It exhibits big, chunky, corpulent flavors (honeysuckle and tropical fruit), decent acidity, abundant glycerin as well as alcohol, and no notion of wood. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.
The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape showed fabulously well, giving up plenty of sweet kirsch, blackberry, dried garrigue and spice in its sexy, forward, voluptuous and textured personality. It should be consumed over the coming couple of years.
Easily the best bottle of this I've had to date and the 2003 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is about as good as it gets for me. The nose is ripe but also restrained and complex with dark fruit, raspberry, cherry and earth aromas backed up by spice, mineral and big licorice notes. Very dark and earthy but also pure, clean and almost feminine in character. The palate is tannic as hell but has enough fruit to hold up and showcases a beautiful, precise, lush texture, awesome balance, serious structure and amazing length on the finish. Only a notch below the 2003 Pegau Reservee and simply a stunning wine.
Possessing a big, ripe nose of Grenache fruit, raspberry liqueur, graphite, licorice and spice notes, the 2003 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is a stunning, massively fruited wine that holds everything together with awesome balance, structure and an almost elegant, seamless demeanor. It's full bodied and while there's considerable structure and tannins, they're covered by so much fruit that they're almost hard to find. Despite the size of this wine, it's just beautifully balanced, seamless and possesses a blockbuster finish.
The perfumed 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc's aromas of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, and citrus are followed by a medium to full-bodied white with luscious ripe fruit, great purity, and enough acidity to provide uplift and vibrancy. It should drink well for 1-2 years.
The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige reveals a subtle note of smoky oak as well as a creamy texture and admirable opulence, power, and density. There is undoubtedly a high percentage of Roussanne in the blend. It nearly rivals the appellation's great whites made by Beaucastel and Grand Veneur. This is certainly the finest dry white Janasse has produced. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.
The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape has a dark ruby/purple/semi-opaque color to go with a seamless, supple and classical feel. Possessing notes of kirsch, ground pepper, garrigue and new leather, it's drinking at point, yet still has plenty of grip and focus on the palate.
More meaty and complex than the 2003, the 2001 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin has beautiful, clean grenache fruit mixed with roasted herbs, meat and earthy notes. The palate is full bodied and structured with solid fruit, impressive balance and a long finish. This bottle was opened but not decanted 6 hours before drinking.
Blockbuster stuff, the brilliant 2001 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is one of the most decadent, large scaled wines of the vintage. Still incredibly youthful (provenance is key here as a prior bottle this year was much more evolved) and deep purple to the rim, it boast thick, rich aromas of blackberry liqueur, plum, meat juice, licorice, and hints of vanilla to go with a full-bodied, unctuously textured palate. Masses of fine tannin emerge on the finish, and despite the overall ripeness level here, this stays gorgeously fresh, focused, and balanced. It should continue to shine for another decade at the least.
Jeb Dunnuck, mars 2012.
The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape is knockout stuff that's still youthful in color and with plenty of life. Loaded with kirsch, sassafras, garrigue and sweet spice, it's full-bodied, textured, rich and long. My notes finish with "wish I had a case."
Coming from the cooler climate Chaupin vineyard in the northern part of the region, the mostly grenache 2000 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin Shows fantastic aromatics of kirsch and framboise intermixed with garrigue, saddle leather, licorice and spring flowers. This leads into a medium to full bodied palate with rich fruit, beautiful balance and a savory texture that carries into the long finish. Still youthful and exuberant, this is drinking beautifully.
A real Wow bottle of wine, the 2000 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is just packed with deep, rich and fresh aromas of blackberry, licorice, meat juice, smoke and graphite. I was literally swooning over the aromatics on the second day and the wine is full bodied with awesome purity, precision and balance. Still very young, this has a long life ahead of it.
Jeb Dunnuck, novembre 2009.
© Domaine La Janasse 2O14 / Conception et réalisation : VM design / © Photos : Olivier Guerrin / L'abus d'alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération.