Domaine de la Janasse - Châteauneuf-du-Pape 'Vieilles Vignes' 2020 (Magnum)

In 1973, Aimé built his own cellar. Domaine de la Janasse was born and named after the family farm that was in Courthézon, in the locality of “La Janasse”. Aimé was ambitious. He knew he had fabulous soil and he wanted to expand the estate by acquiring new plots. From 15 hectares at the very beginning, La Janasse has now reached more than 90 hectares.

Aimé’s eldest son came back to La Janasse where he was given the keys to the cellar. From then different cuvees were developed, new markets conquered. In 2001, Isabelle Aimé’s daughter graduated as an oenologist from the University of Toulouse, and joined the team. With Hélène, Aimé’s wife, the family was reunited again in La Janasse.

Due to its fragmented structure -more than sixty plots- the area of La Janasse covers a mosaic of terroirs. The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand. Each parcel is vinified and aged in a tank, then assembled according tastings. Breeding with wood is reflected, depending on the variety and the vintage.

Manual harvest with sorting in the vineyard. 80% destemming then maceration for 28 days with daily manual pressing. 3/4 in foudres and 1/4 in demi-muids (600 liters), for 12 months.

In 1973, Aimé built his own cellar. Domaine de la Janasse was born and named after the family farm that was in Courthézon, in the locality of “La Janasse”. Aimé was ambitious. He knew he had fabulous soil and he wanted to expand the estate by acquiring new plots. From 15 hectares at the very beginning, La Janasse has now reached more than 90 hectares.

Aimé’s eldest son came back to La Janasse where he was given the keys to the cellar. From then different cuvees were developed, new markets conquered. In 2001, Isabelle Aimé’s daughter graduated as an oenologist from the University of Toulouse, and joined the team. With Hélène, Aimé’s wife, the family was reunited again in La Janasse.

Due to its fragmented structure -more than sixty plots- the area of La Janasse covers a mosaic of terroirs. The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand. Each parcel is vinified and aged in a tank, then assembled according tastings. Breeding with wood is reflected, depending on the variety and the vintage.

Manual harvest with sorting in the vineyard. 80% destemming then maceration for 28 days with daily manual pressing. 3/4 in foudres and 1/4 in demi-muids (600 liters), for 12 months.

“Not as rich or concentrated as I was expecting, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes still delivers ample layers of dark fruit, 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.” - 98 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes also saw some stems (the estate started keeping some stems with the 2016 vintage) and was 75% destemmed, with the blend being 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and Terret Noir. As usual, it’s a more powerful, black-fruited wine comparted to the Cuvée Chaupin and has lots of crème de cassis, liquid violet, crushed stone, woodsmoke, and peppery herbs. It displays the vintage’s purity and freshness yet brings the concentration as well as the structure. I’ll be shocked if it’s not in the handful of top wines in the vintage.” - 98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

“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.” - 96 Points, Decanter

Producer: Domaine de la Janasse

Country: France

Region: Rhône Valley

Varietal: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre

Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Vintage: 2020

Size: 1.5L