2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de la Janasse

A fabled wine from the oldest (80-100 years of age) vines in four different Janasse vineyards, each with a distinctive soil structure (each dominated, to varying degrees by galets, clay, sand or limestone) which informs the incredible complexity of this long-lived example. The initial descriptors embrace black fruit power and smoky aromatics; time will reveal the full sinewy majesty of the wine, together with its inherent elegance, hitherto somewhat concealed behind the pomp and circumstance.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

Brother and sister team of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon continue to work wonders at Janasse, a property founded in 1973 and which farms 80 hectares of Côtes-du-Rhône and Châteauneuf –du-Pape, the latter of which is all located in the north-east of the appellation, in the commune of Courthézon to be precise. Concrete tanks are used for the Grenache and oak for the Syrah and Mourvèdre; in other words, everything is fairly traditional; it is the quality of the raw materials which is so impressive and for that reason alone, leaving aside the clear skill and vision of the Sabons, that BBR are delighted to take on these excellent 2010s for their first full listing.

Domaine de la Janasse

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is black purple as well, but slightly more restrained and lower in alcohol, with more noticeable tannins and acidity. Nevertheless, this is still a phenomenally concentrated wine, with notes of barbecue spices, blackberry and black currant fruit, smoked herbs, charcoal, incense and an intense lavender note. The tannins kick in following the full-bodied, massive mouthfeel, as well as the acidity. This wine will need to be forgotten for 8-10 years, which is somewhat atypical for a Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape. It can be consumed over the following three-plus decades. An absolutely brilliant wine, as are all of these in the Janasse portfolio.

This impeccably run estate, in the capable hands of Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and their father, is one of the superstars of the southern Rhone Valley. Over the last 12-15 years, the quality of the wines has gone from strength to strength, with brilliant wines being produced in all price categories.

They make sumptuous, complex, world-class red, white and rose Cotes du Rhones, and year-in and year-out, their Chateauneuf du Papes are among the top three or four wines of the vintage. Tasting two great vintages (2009 and 2010) from the Sabons was one of the most thrilling.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate #197 Oct 2011)