Domaine de la Janasse   Chateuneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

2008 Chateuneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

By Domaine de la Janasse

2008 Chateuneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes from Domaine de la Janasse, Rhone

In the realm of fine investment wines, there exists none quite as compelling as the 2008 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes from the esteemed Domaine de la Janasse. This particular vintage beautifully reflects the rich character of its birthplace in France's Rhone region.

 

A Domained Diction, Defined

2008 showcased an idiosyncratic blend of typicality and uniqueness for Rhone, somewhat a departure from earlier vintages as the weather intricately danced between contrast and harmony. The vintage allowed winemaker Aime Sabon to softly stroke his well-aged vines into a symphony of complex flavours.

The fruit is laundry-fresh and ripe, whispering ripeness without cloying sweetness; it’s as if one has bitten into an elusive blackberry plucked at that precise moment of perfect readiness. There's a sublime balance between the bold pitch of dark fruit flavour and the darting thrust of spicy complexity; enigmatic black pepper interwoven with hints of lavender becoming stagehands rather than claiming star roles.

 

Rhone’s Bountiful Harvest - A Wine Year Remembered

A formidable challenger for wine investment, this 2008 vintage stands its ground against newer contemporaries. Late flowering due to a chilly spring, bolstered by abundant August rains, culminated in an October harvest producing robust fruits that were both vivid and rich.

What sets this 2008 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes apart is the gripping power of its structure. Soft tannins weave their magic binding the generous volume with surprising elegance. Over time, its lingering finish has developed deeper tones, imbuing the wine with a velvety complexity of roasted plum and undergrowth. A sensuous dance of freshness and decadence, and precise definition against rounded suppleness, it is a compelling example of the humourous contrarian playfulness that graced the 2008 vintage in Rhone.

In the realm of fine wines, there are few vintages that serve as a better testament to the brilliance of nature’s whims and the cultivated finesse of a master winemaker than this gem from Domaine de la Janasse. The 2008 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes confidently affirms its extraordinary character, marking it as one of the remarkable investable wines worthy of attention.

Current market price

$1,150.00

12x75cl

Highest score

92

POP score

57.5

Scores and tasting notes

92

The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a 1,000-case blend of 70% old vine Grenache (60- to 100-year-old vines) and 30% Mourvedre (a much higher percentage than normal). One of the top half-dozen Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage, it boasts a dark plum/ruby/purple color, full body, light to moderate tannin and lots of white chocolate, licorice, black currant, kirsch, incense and jus de viande characteristics. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for a decade. It is a remarkable achievement for a vintage such as 2008. Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and their father operate one of the great Chateauneuf du Pape winemaking estates. They continue to invest in new vineyards as well as state-of-the-art winemaking equipment. Moreover, they never seem to be satisfied with the status quo, and are constantly challenging their past performances. Their 2007s were unbelievably good wines, the 2008s were among the finest wines of the appellation, and the 2009 vintage is another resounding success for them. The style is progressive, combining the best of traditional winemaking with the finest of a more modern approach. The wines all reflect their Provencal origins, only tiny quantities of new oak are used, and then only with the two grape varietals that can benefit from it (such as Syrah and Mourvedre). This is also a fabulous source for top wine values as the following tasting notes demonstrate. Christophe Sabon told me that the white varietals he works with tend to come from sandy and gravelly soils, so there is more finesse. Both Chateauneuf du Pape blanc cuvees are well-worth a search of the marketplace. Interestingly, Sabon achieves excellent acidity in his white Chateauneufs despite the fact that they go through 100% malolactic fermentation, an unusual practice for white Chateauneuf du Papes. His objective is to bottle them unfiltered, which he is able to do. The wines are also extremely low in SO2. As I wrote last year, Christophe Sabon made two of the finest Chateauneuf du Papes of 2008. The estate’s third cuvee, the Chaupin, was declassified into the traditional wine, which no doubt benefitted from it. Sabon told me there was more Mourvedre used in the blend in order to provide more structure and support to the Grenache in 2008. In 2009, all three cuvees were produced. I always think the harvest at Janasse must be one of the most difficult to manage as they have 200 acres of vines with over 200 separate parcels spread throughout the southern Rhone. Christophe told me it takes nearly two full days to just drive around and sample all the different vineyards to see where they are in terms of maturity. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 30 October 2010

Vintage performance