Wine Advisor
Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2003
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Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
A wine I’ve had more than a case of, sometimes with irregular results, the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes was drinking about as good as it gets on this occasion. As usual, it’s made in a deeper, richer style than the Chaupin and offers thrilling texture, a smoking mid-palate and nothing but gorgeous Grenache fruit on the finish. Loaded with notions of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, fruit cake and spice, enjoy this knockout effort over the coming 2-4 years or so. One of the benchmark estates in the Rhone Valley, Domaine de la Janasse is run by the talented brother/sister pair of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon. Located in the northeastern portion of the region, near Courthezon, they produce an incredible range of wines, from their Vin de Pays, to their Cotes du Rones and world-class Chateauneuf du Papes, all of which are noteworthy. For this tasting, we started with the 1990s and went up through their 2007s. At this point, the ‘98s through the 2004s are all in varying degrees of full maturity, and drinking brilliantly. In addition, it’s also worth pointing out that these wines have the fruit and texture to dish out immense pleasure in their youth, so don’t be afraid to crack these new releases either. Both of the 1999s were drinking beautifully, and are up near the top of the vintage. Moving to the 2000s, I found that from this point forward, the wines started to show more freshness and vibrancy. Looking specifically at this vintage, these are still mature wines, yet they’re drinking beautifully. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The ’03 Vieille Vignes has a rich, almost decadent bouquet with super ripe black cherry, blueberry, boysenberry and fennel, developing violet aromas with time with touches of cumin and thyme. The palate is full-bodied, rounded and corpulent in texture with layers of mouth-coating black cherry, cardamom, damson and creme de cassis that fan out on the lascivious finish too sexy to take home to meet mum. This is a pup with a long-life ahead. Drink 2013-2030. Tasted June 2010.
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
Possibly the wine of the vintage and the best bottle of this I’ve had to date, the 2003 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes has a drop-dead gorgeous bouquet of spice-laden red and black fruits, licorice, graphite and mineral to go with a seamless, full-bodied and decadently-styled palate. Seriously rich and voluptuous, yet also perfectly balanced, poised and fresh, this beauty should continue to shine for another decade, although I see no reason to delay gratification.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes had a few degrees of residual sugar to ferment out. It is a blend of 85% Grenache and the balance split between Syrah and Mourvedre. A wine of extraordinary intensity and the potential to garner a perfect score, this inky/purple-colored effort boasts an exceptional nose of black raspberries, creme de cassis, melted licorice, and earth. Extremely full-bodied, with a multi-dimensional, super-concentrated palate, fabulous purity, and over 15% alcohol, it is a classic Chateauneuf du Pape meant for long-term cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020+. The question that begs to be answered is, is it better than the profound 2001, 2000, and 1998? It’s certainly bigger, but I’m not convinced it is better in a qualitative sense as these are all great vintages for Janasse. By the way, visits to this estate are well worth the trip if only to purchase wine, and visitors should be sure to ask to taste the rarest wine made by Janasse, a late harvest sweet cuvee of botrytised Clairette and Roussanne called Les Raisins Perdu. It is an impeccably well-made, intriguing offering, but there is very little produced, and it is only sold at the winery. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of the vintage’s most compelling wines, the huge, dense purple-colored 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes offers aromas of creme de cassis, creosote, and flowers along with immense concentration, body, and tannin. The finish is reminiscent of a first-growth Bordeaux, meaning it is well-delineated and tannic. Cellar it for 4-5 years and consume it over the following two decades. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Saturated dark red. Explosively aromatic, highly complex nose offers kirsch, raspberry liqueur, blueberry, tarragon, baking spices, smoked meat, espresso and hot asphalt. Lush and hefty but suave, with rich flavors of sweet dark berries, framboise, candied chocolate and licorice that build and deepen with aeration. A brisk mineral note keeps the fruit in check and adds focus and lift to the knockout, silky finish.
About the Producer
Founded in 1973 by Aime Sabon, Domaine de la Janasse is particularly young in comparison to the older French wineries. The vineyards were originally owned by Aime Sabon's father, who did not make wine, and the grapes were sold in bulk to wine merchants; in 1967, Aime Sabon retired from the Navy and returned home to take over the vineyards, and in 1973, he built his own cellar, thus creating Domaine de la Janasse. Domaine de la Janasse covers 137.5 acres and has vineyards in several different appellations, including: Chateauneuf du Pape, Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Village. The vines of Domaine de la Janasse are planted on different soils and some are very old, up to 90 years old. The fruit from these old vines is used to produce Janasse Cuvee Vieilles Vinges, the estate's speciality. Domaine de la Janasse produces wines in the new style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. Since 1993, the winery has been destemming the grapes from the harvest. This practice has continued and to date at least 80% of the berries are destemmed before fermentation. The Grenache is fermented in stainless steel tanks; the Mourvedre and Syrah are fermented in short conical oak barrels. Grenache is matured in large oak barrels; Mourvedre and Syrah are matured in a mixture of new French oak barrels and large oak barrels, which can add a new and trendy style to their wines.
