Producer | Domaine De La Janasse |
Country | France |
Region | Rhone |
Varietal | Grenache |
Vintage | 2020 |
Sku | 1413286 |
Size | 750ml |
Aime Sabon established this estate in 1973 when he took over from his father who had spent a lot of time and effort improving fruit quality but always sold the fruit to the local co-operative. The operation of the estate is now in the hands of Aime’s children, Christophe and Isabelle.
Grapes are 50-80% destemmed. The Grenache gets a short 3-day cold soak then undergoes a lengthy fermentation with daily punch downs before being aged in large foudre to have a slower micro-oxidation. The Syrah and Mourvedre, in contrast, are aged in smaller barrels to allow for more interaction with oxygen so as to mitigate the more tannic structure of these grape varietals. There is only a small portion of new wood. After 12-14 months the wine is blended and, after a further period in tank, is bottled the following spring.
In addition to the regular bottling - called Tradition – there is a Cuvee Chaupin, which comes from seven hectares of old vine Grenache aged in foudres and demi-muids, and a Vielles Vignes bottling from six hectares of old vine plantings of all three grape types located in different terroirs so as to complement each other – galets giving breadth and power, sand providing aromatics and fresh acidity, stony red clay providing structure and sandy limestone contributing finesse.
Domaine de la Janasse is an exceptional estate, blessed with a lot of old vines.
The classic 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape from this team is a winner, offering a medium to full-bodied, finesse-driven style as well as terrific aromatics of darker berries, raspberries, garrigue, and flowers, with a kiss of background peppery spice. It's balanced, medium to full-bodied, has ripe, soft tannins, and is loaded with character. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years.
jdA terrific wine that harkens back to the 2016 the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape delivers black cherries blackberries and black olives plus intriguing notes of garrigue. Full-bodied rich and silky it finishes long with a wash of softly dusty tannins.