Wine Advisor
Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2014
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
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.
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
One of the more elegant and streamlined examples of this cuvée I've tasted, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes has terrific purity as well as classic notes of black raspberries, Provençal spice, licorice and leather. Medium to full-bodied and nicely concentrated, it offers tons of charm and I suspect it will drink nicely right on release (which isn't the norm for this cuvée).
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Bright ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of fresh red and blue fruits, potpourri and incense gain vivacity from a smoky mineral nuance. Offers deeply concentrated blueberry, black raspberry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors, while suggestions of candied licorice and white pepper emerge on the back half. Finishes on a suave, alluringly sweet note of red fruit liqueur, featuring slowly emerging tannins and outstanding vivacity and focus.
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.
