2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de la Janasse, Rhône
Description
This blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each Syrah and Mourvèdre comes from the property’s oldest vines. It shows power and restraint in equal measure – as only very old vines do. It’s aromatic; layered with sweet blueberries, cassis and redcurrants, with white pepper, bitter herbs and a little savoury coming through on the finish. Concentrated but not showy – very impressive.
Berry Bros. & Rudd
-
Colour
Red -
Sweetness
Dry -
Vintage
2020 -
Alcohol
15.5% -
Grape
Grenache -
Body
Full Bodied -
Producer
Domaine de la Janasse
Critics reviews
70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre.
Powerful, weighty, dark-fruit character. Intensity on the palate combined with powerful tannic structure and spice. This is a wine which needs several years to reach its peak. All the components are there but need a bit more time to come together. Love the vibrant character here.
Drink 2024 - 2033
Much more powerful and closed, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes more from the La Crau and La Janasse lieux-dits and is the usual blend of mostly Grenache with a touch of Syrah. Blackberries, graphite, scorched earth, pepper, and sappy garrigue all emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied, has beautiful concentration, polished tannins, and an excellent finish. Nothing is out of place, and this perfectly balanced, authoritative, powerful, and incredibly impressive 2020 will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and evolve for 15-20 years in cold cellars.
Drink 2025 - 2046
Not as rich or concentrated as I expected, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes still delivers ample layers of dark fruit and hints of cola, mint and spice elements. It's full-bodied, silky and long, but it looks to fall short of the quality heights reached by some other recent vintages.
Drink 2025 - 2040
Immediately impressive, densely fruited, with dark brooding blackberry and plum which make you sit up and take notice. It follows through onto the palate which is intense, juicy and fresh, this has more concentration than most this year, but without over extraction. Perfectly ripe, chunky and powerful, but not heavy. Fermented in concrete, matured for 12 months in foudre and demi-muid.
Drink 2026 - 2037