Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2022

Domaine de la Janasse is back with a spectacularly powerful 98-point 2022 Vieilles Vignes. The 2022 growing season challenged much of the south of France, yet Châteauneuf-du-Pape outperformed nearly every neighboring appellation. At the top estates, the wines emerged with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and beautifully balanced ripeness. In other words, the best producers found a way to thrive, and few know how to do that better than Janasse. This is a towering release that easily earns its place near the summit of the Janasse portfolio. One of the world’s great champions of Grenache and one of Châteauneuf’s benchmark domaines, Janasse delivers everything you could want here: power, depth, explosive intensity, and layer after layer of complexity.

Founded in the 1970s by the legendary Aimé Sabon, the estate was later handed to the next generation, who have only elevated its reputation. Critics adore them, fellow growers respect them, and collectors chase them. Even jaded wine slingers like us can’t help but be impressed. The family farms 90 hectares of elite vineyard land, including some of the oldest vines in the appellation. In the early 1990s, Christophe Sabon returned from Beaune with degrees in viticulture, enology, and marketing before taking charge of the cellar. A decade later, his sister Isabelle joined him after earning her own enology degree from the University of Toulouse. Together, they have strengthened the Sabon legacy and are crafting some of the finest wines in the domaine’s storied history.

Roughly 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, plus a small cast of Châteauneuf’s other traditional varieties, this old-vine beauty is impossible to ignore. Waves of cherry, raspberry, creamy licorice, crushed gravel, semisweet chocolate, wild garrigue, and spice keep unfolding in the glass. Despite its monumental structure, the tannins are already melting beautifully into the fruit. Decanter called it “Full, lush and powerful, with a wall of intense tannin,” adding, “Huge concentration and huge intensity... statuesque wines for very long ageing.” We couldn’t say it better ourselves. Read the glowing reviews below, then grab a bottle, or three, and set yourself up for rockstar Rhône drinking over the next two decades.

PAIRING IDEAS: Go with a classic and hearty beef stew with a hunk of crusty bread – the ultimate stick-to-your-ribs bowl of goodness to live up to this beastly Châteauneuf-du-Pape!