Wine Advisor
Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2006
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The Chaupin is slightly eclipsed by the profound quality of the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes. Inky/blue/purple, with massive aromatics, an unctuous texture, and superb length on the palate, it is enormously endowed for a 2006. Very pure for a 2006, with sweet tannins as well as amazing length, it will benefit from several years of cellaring, and drink well for 20-25 years. Young Christophe Sabon, with his sister by his side and his father in the background, is doing as great a job turning out terrific wines as any vigneron in the world. With nearly 200 acres of vineyards, 45 of them old vines situated in Chateauneuf du Pape, there is enormous potential, all of it being exploited. The 1998s, 1999s, 2000s, and 2001s were all fabulous at this estate, the 2003s were slightly irregular as well as tannic, the 2005s were great, the 2006s are fabulous, and the 2007s may be the sine qua non of all his vintages. The white wines are not to be missed as they are some of the freshest, most perfumed, lively whites of Southern France. The value picks represent remarkable bargains. The bottled 2006 low end wines are all in the marketplace. While they are not quite at the level of the 2007s, there are some gorgeous choices for consumers. Janasse’s 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes are outrageous, all of which performed brilliantly despite having just completed their malolactics after 11 months of fermentation. With all of the excitement over the 2007s, readers should not forget just how great Janasse’s 2006s have turned out. They are performing as well as they did last year, perhaps even better. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
A bigger, richer wine than the Chaupin (which is normal), the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes comes from the La Janasse and La Crau lieux-dits, and is 80% Grenache and the balance Syrah and Mourvèdre; the Grenache is raised in foudres and demi-muids, and the Syrah and Mourvèdre are raised in small barrels. Full-bodied, rich, decadent and unctuous on the palate, this beauty gives up fabulous notes of dark fruits, dusty soil, licorice, roasted herbs and toasted spice. It needs a short decant if drinking anytime soon, and will continue drinking nicely through 2026.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (88% Grenache, 7% Mourvedre, and 5% Syrah, with only 5,000 bottles produced) is one of the vintage’s most profound wines. Inky ruby/purple to the rim, with a nose of incense, melted licorice, asphalt, blackberry, and blueberry with a hint of pain grille, the wine is exceptionally powerful, rich, concentrated, and harmonious, with high but sweet tannins, low acidity, and a spectacular finish of close to 50+ seconds. It is much more approachable than the 2005, but give it 4-5 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 25 years. The 2006 will undeniably be a vintage to buy across the board at Domaine de la Janasse. Tasting at Janasse is fun. It is a large estate of 195 acres with 45 of them situated in Chateauneuf du Pape. Even if you weren’t obsessed with their fabulous Chateauneuf du Papes, they have a portfolio of brilliant wines from Cotes du Rhone as well as a vin de pays. Young proprietor Christophe Sabon, working with his wife and father, continues to fine-tune his winemaking skills. He is already brilliant at reds and shows increasing confidence in the quality of his white wine cuvees. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky purple. Extremely ripe, deep blackcurrant and boysenberry aromas perked up by an intensely spicy anise character. Fleshy dark fruit flavors are enlivened by zesty minerality, picking up dusty tannins with air but maintaining hugely appealing sweetness. Seems to expand on the long, sappy finish, echoing ripe dark berries and candied licorice. Really seductive stuff.
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.
