No wine collection is complete without Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the crown jewel of France's southern Rhône Valley. Why? It's all about the terroir! Châteauneuf-du-Pape owes its iconic status to its Mediterranean climate and the galets, or large stones that blanket the vineyards. Composed largely of quartzite, they retain moisture in the soil during the hot, dry summer months and capture the sun's heat, releasing it at night to hasten the ripening of the grapes. These conditions make magic with the fruit, especially the juicy grenache varietal, CdP's most prolific grape. These gifts of nature are beautifully expressed in today's spectacular offer.
Domaine de la Janasse was established in 1967 by Aimé Sabon when he took over his father's vineyards. Knowing that his 15 hectares had spectacular soil, he stopped selling his fruit to the local collaborative like his father and set out to make his own wine. He was right; in a relatively short time, he became known as a major player in the region, crafting world-class wines that quickly garnered numerous high ratings from the press and legions of fans.
Over the years he expanded his holdings to 90 hectares. Today, his son Christophe and daughter Isabelle - both armed with enology degrees - help run the estate and are intimately involved in the entire wine-making process from bud break to bottling.
Today's wine is a blend of 65% old vine grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvèdre, and 5% cinsault
sourced from several plots in the northern part of the appellation and on the plateau of La
Crau. The vines are cultivated without pesticides or insecticides; the wine is aged for 12 months in foudres and oak barrels before bottling.
Check out the press!
93 points, Decanter:
"Expressive on the nose, with good ripeness to the damson and juniper fruit. It has plenty of presence and grip, and quite precise acidity which helps to lengthen the palate. Savory, and well-balanced. Partially destemmed, fermented in concrete, aged mostly in foudres and some old barriques. Drinking Window: 2023-2030." (9/22)
92 points, Vinous:
"Combined aromas of predominantly red fruits, dried herbs, licorice, and a pinch of menthol. Velvety tannins envelop this medium to full-bodied elegant red, with good persistence on the bright finish. Drink: 2025-2038." (6/23)
92 points, Wine Spectator:
"Tasty and ripe, with an open profile marked by sappy red cherry, anise, and generous floral perfume. Meaty and fleshy on the vanilla-kissed palate, with crushed iron bringing balance, while dried rosemary, charred mesquite, and herbal lift emerge. There's a lot to like about this alluring red, which is drinking beautifully now (and will age well, too). Grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault. Drink now through 2032." (12/31/23)
92 points, James Suckling:
"An agile and crunchy Chateauneuf-du-Pape with plenty of raspberries, strawberries, flowers, peppercorns, and hints of sandalwood. Medium body with sinewy tannins. Fresh and crunchy with lots of succulent fruit character and a racy finish. Drink or hold." (4/19/23)
91 points, Jeb Dunnuck:
"Including a touch more syrah and mourvèdre than usual, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is another elegant, finesse-driven 2021 with plenty to love. Framboise, wild strawberries, pepper, and Provençal, spicy, garrigue-like notes define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a layered, elegant mouthfeel and outstanding length. It's perfect for drinking over the coming 10-12 years. Drink: 2023-2035. (10/30/23)"
We are taking orders for the 2021 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Tradition" now through Monday, August 5th, at 4 PM or WHEN THE WINE SELLS OUT. Orders will be ready for pickup on Wednesday, August 7th, after 4 PM.
CHEERS!
ABV: 14.5%