Wine Advisor
Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2015
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is a tour de force. Raspberry and apricot-scented fruit, rich chocolate notes and an incredible whirlwind of spice are delivered in this full-bodied wine that shows no heat, just waves of flavor. It should drink well for 20 years or more.
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes checks in as 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and the rest Mourvèdre and Cinsault, with 30% whole cluster. Its ruby/opaque color is following by terrific notes of cassis, cracked pepper, licorice and distinct minerality. Full-bodied, concentrated and with building tannin, it shows the more finesse-driven style of all of the 2015s, has fine tannin and a great finish.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(made with 20 percent whole clusters and aged in concrete tanks and demi-muids) Dark ruby. Ripe, smoke-tinged cherry and blueberry compote aromas show excellent clarity, and a peppery element adds spicy lift. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering densely packed yet shockingly lively red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors and a hint of star anise. Shows superb energy on the broad, seamless, strikingly long finish, which is firmed by supple tannins and sharpened by a kick of juicy acidity.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(made with 20 percent whole clusters and aged in concrete tanks and demi-muids) Dark ruby. Ripe, smoke-tinged cherry and blueberry compote aromas show excellent clarity, and a peppery element adds spicy lift. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering densely packed yet shockingly lively red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors and a hint of star anise. Shows superb energy on the broad, seamless, strikingly long finish, which is firmed by supple tannins and sharpened by a kick of juicy acidity.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A powerful wine with neatly matched oak influence adding spicy nuances to ripe blueberry, raspberry and red plum fruits. The palate has suave, velvety tannins that drive long and smooth, with plenty of red plum fruit. Drink now.
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.
