A blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Clairette and 20% Roussanne, the surprisingly rich, textured 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc exhibits plenty of buttered peach and tropical fruit to go with tinges of vanilla and brioche. Full-bodied, rich and textured, with superb mid-palate depth, enjoy this classy, serious effort over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2013

Even better, and one of the leading whites in the appellation, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige is comprised of 60% Roussanne and the balance Grenache Blanc and Clairette. Going completely through malolactic fermentation, it got a big “Wow” in my notes. White peach, citrus blossom, pear, vanilla cream and lemon curd all emerge from this brilliantly focused, seamless and incredibly fresh white. Balancing its richness and freshness perfectly and a joy to drink, it should be consumed over the coming 3-4 years. Drink now-2017.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2013.

The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape (70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvedre) is beautiful, with medium to full-bodied richness, lots of sweet black raspberry fruit, graphite, bouquet garni and licorice aromatics, and sweet, building tannin that comes through on the finish. It shows the purity and balance of the vintage, and will dish out loads of pleasure over the coming decade or more.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2014.

The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin, which I was able to taste (and drink) from multiple bottles, is a beautiful Grenache that comes from the cooler, northeastern edge of the appellation. Coming almost all from the Chapouin lieu-dit (it gets a small bit from La Janasse), it gives up the classic notes of black berries, spring flowers, violets, and licorice that I always seem to find in this cuvee. Building nicely on the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, has tons of sweet fruit and solid, if not firm, tannin that come out on the finish. It will be better in another couple of years and have 15+ years of overall longevity.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2014.

Up in the top handful of wines in the vintage (which should come as no surprise to anyone who follows this estate), the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, rich and layered Châteauneuf that doesn’t put a foot wrong. Made from 85% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, it offers blockbuster notes of blackberry, liquid-violets, spice and serious minerality to go with awesome mid-palate depth and layers of sweet tannin. Like the Cuvee Chaupin, it will be better in another handful of years and thrill through 2027.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2014.

The crisp, elegant 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc (40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Clairette and 20% Roussanne) offers up aromas of candle wax, poached pears, ripe pineapples and other tropical fruits. This fresh, lively, medium to full-bodied white wine is exceptionally pure. It should drink well for 4-5 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2012.

The Burgundian-styled 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige, which is composed of 70% Roussanne and the rest Clairette and Grenache Blanc. There are about 100 cases of this beauty, which is vinified in new oak and kept in barrel, then bottled within a year of the vintage. The wine reveals a stunning perfume of orange marmalade, honeysuckle, apricot jam, rose petals and tropical fruits. Full-bodied and pure with the oak pushed to the background, it should drink nicely for several years, perhaps longer, but it is always a risk to age these wines beyond 3-4 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2012.

The 2011 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a rocking effort in a more difficult vintage. A mostly destemmed blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre that is aged 80% in vat and 20% in one-third new oak, it possesses outstanding aromas of framboise and black raspberry that is intermixed with lavender, violet, rolled stone, and licorice. Medium-bodied, elegant, and beautifully balanced, with surprising freshness and quality tannin, it should be approachable on release, and drink well for 10-12 years.
Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2012.

Coming from a cooler, sandy terroir in the northeastern part of the appellation, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin (which comes 80% from the Chaupoin lieu-dit and 20% from the La Janasse lieu-dit, hence the subtle name change) is 100% Grenache, from vines planted in 1912, that’s aged two-thirds in foudre and one-third in demi-muid. Gorgeous all around, with plenty of similarities to the traditional cuvee, yet slightly richer and fuller, it delivers beautiful mulled red and black fruits, licorice, spice and tinges of stony minerality on the nose. Full-bodied, supple, seamless and elegant, with fine tannin, it makes the most of a difficult vintage and is certainly one of the top 10-12 wines. Drink now-2023.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2013.

And a candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is always a rough blend of 85% Grenache and the balance Syrah, Mourvedre, Clairette and other permitted varieties, that has the Grenache aged all in foudre and the Syrah and Mourvedre aged in one-third new barrels (that’s less than 6% of the blend in new barrels). Exhibiting gorgeous black fruits, spice-box, toast, licorice and roasted meat-like qualities on the nose, it is full-bodied, concentrated and layered on the palate, with loads of texture, yet delivers no weight, heat, or ever puts a foot wrong. Shockingly good in the vintage, it should not be missed. Hats off to Christophe and Isabelle. Drink now-2027.
Jeb Dunnuck, octobre 2013.

Even better is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, a blend of 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette and 30% Roussanne. Sabon has the courage to put this wine through malolactic so he does not have to filter it, and the result is a zesty wine displaying lots of pear, pineapple, white peach and rosewater notes, great fruit, a medium to full-bodied texture, fresh acids and a luscious finish.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2011.

There are 75 cases of the limited production cuvee of 60% Roussanne and the rest Bourboulenc, Clairette and Grenache Blanc aged in 2-3 year old small barrels, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige. A staggering perfume of orange rinds, honeysuckle, apricots, rose petals and candle wax jump from this full-bodied, unctuously textured yet precise white. This is a sensational white Chateauneuf du Pape, and the 2009 is equal in quality, but slightly less fresh and perhaps more evolved and on a faster aging track.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2011.

Showing brilliantly from tank last year, and not disappointing from bottle this year, the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a stunning bottle of wine! A blend of 80% Grenache and equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre, its opaque purple color is followed by knockout aromas of blackberry liqueur, flower oil, liquid mineral, licorice, and graphite. Not losing a beat on the palate either, with a full-bodied, structured, and edgy feel, as well as brilliant purity of fruit, this serious, age-worthy effort needs a handful of years in the cellar, and has 15-20 years or more of total longevity. While the chase will be on for the Cuvée Chaupin and Vieilles Vignes bottlings, do not overlook this wine!
Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2012.

Tasted no fewer than three times (rated 99 once and 98 two other times) and up there with, and probably eclipsing, the ‘07, the 2010 Cuvée Chaupin is a spectacular blend of 100% Grenache that is from a cooler terroir in the northwest part of the appellation. Seeming like the essence of Grenache, it offers up an extraordinary perfume of black raspberry, spring flowers, licorice, and roasted meat-like qualities on the nose. This is followed by a full-bodied, dense, and thrillingly concentrated wine that has fresh acids, a seamless, surprisingly light and elegant texture, and masses of tannin that emerge on the finish. While there is enough texture to keep it interesting now, it really needs 4-5 years of bottle age, and will drink well for 2-3 decades.
Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2012.

More rich and voluptuous, yet with a similar level of purity and precision, the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes offers up loads of creamy blackberry, raspberry liqueur, melted licorice, wild flowers, and toasted spice nuances on the nose. Every bit as good on the palate, with a thrilling texture, full-bodied power, and gorgeous underlying structure and tannin, this knockout Châteauneuf-du-Pape stays light and elegant, with nothing out of place or over the top. As with the Chaupin, it is no doubt a brilliant drink now, yet it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age, and will shine for two decades or more!
Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2012.

The outstanding 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc (40% tank-aged Grenache Blanc, 30% tank-aged Clairette and 30% barrel-aged Roussanne) reveals notes of white peaches, honeysuckle, quince and white currants. The sumptuous perfume is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with excellent texture, good acidity and superb purity as well as character. It should be consumed over the next 2-3 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2010.

A grand cru white Burgundy look-alike, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige is a 100-case blend of 70% Roussanne and the rest Grenache and Clairette. Aromas of orange marmalade, honeysuckle, apricot jam and candle wax are followed by a full-bodied, full-throttle yet wonderfully precise and pure white. It should drink well for 2-3 years, possibly longer.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2010.

A brilliant bottle of wine (the best base cuvee out there?), the 2009 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a mostly destemmed blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre that’s aged 80% in vat, and 20% in 1/3 new French oak. It delivers straight-up gorgeous aromas of blackberry and raspberry jam, creamy licorice, spice, and underbrush to go with a full-bodied, awesomely textured and yet focused palate. This beautifully fresh, balanced Châteauneuf-du-Pape is well built and loaded with sweet tannin on the finish; while approachable now due to the wealth of fruit, it should age effortlessly for 15+ years.
Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2011.

From a cool, late ripening vineyard located in the northern portion of the AOC and vines planted in 1912, the prodigious 2009 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is 100% Grenache in ’09, with 30% aged in ¼ new French oak and the rest in vat. It yields a decidedly voluptuous profile with decadent black fruits and raspberry that are intermixed with underbrush, fresh-snipped flowers, licorice, and edgy minerality. Showing brilliant concentration and richness, perfect balance, and incredible freshness, this classic Chaupin is up there with the crème de la crème of the vintage and should drink beautifully for 15+ years. Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2011.

More smoky and dark fruited than the Cuvée Chaupin, the 2009 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, from four separate parcels of varying soil types, possesses the same level of freshness and purity. A blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, and 2% assorted varieties, with 25% of the blend aged in small barrels (40% of which are new) and the rest in vat, it exhibits an absolutely thrilling array of blackberry, licorice, roasted meats, dark chocolate, and smoke aromas on the nose. While there’s serious ripeness here, it stays amazingly fresh and vibrant, never seeming thick of heavy. Every bit as solid on the palate, this full-bodied, powerful, yet elegant Châteauneuf-du-Pape is unctuously textured and possesses a seamless, silky profile, with masses of sweet tannin on the finish. Unquestionably one of the top 2 or 3 wines in ’09, this can be consumed now, or cellared for a decade or longer. Thrilling stuff and hats off to Sabon family! Jeb Dunnuck, septembre 2011.

There is no 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc Cuvee Prestige, so all of the Roussanne was declassified into the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc. This wine won the top prize for white Chateauneufs at the festival held by the village’s vignerons called St.-Marc. Gorgeous aromas of white peaches, flowers, and candied lemons are followed by a crisp, full-bodied white with great acidity, an enticing, medium-bodied texture, and a long finish. One of the top white 2008 Chateauneuf du Papes I tasted, it should drink well for 2-4 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2009.

There was no Chaupin bottling in ’08 and the grapes from this vineyard were included in the base Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wine is very solid for the vintage and exhibits blackberry and raspberry fruit, graphite, touches of pepper, and baking spices. Medium bodied with a light, smooth texture, admirable balance and a clean finish, this should drink beautifully over the next decade.
Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2010.

One of the few domaines to produce a special cuvee in ‘08, the Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is medium weight with spicy dark fruits framing subtle graphite and mineral aromatics. Medium bodied and fresh on the palate, the wine displays good acidity, a straight, compact texture, ripe tannin and a classy, long finish. While this lacks the depth that this cuvee normally delivers, the elegance and class on the finish are superb. Drink over the next 10 to 12 years.
Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2010.

The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc is a terrific success. Showing even better after a year in bottle, this blend of 30% barrel-fermented Roussanne and the rest Clairette and Grenache Blanc exhibits lots of floral notes interwoven with tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and lemon zest characteristics. Full-bodied with a beautiful light gold color as well as an enticing texture, it can be consumed over the next 1-2 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2008.

There are fewer than 100 cases of the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvee Prestige, a barrel-fermented blend of 70% Roussanne and 30% white Grenache. Its light gold color is followed by grand cru white Burgundy-like notes of buttered citrus, honeysuckle, peaches, ripe pears, and brioche. I have no idea how long this beautiful white will last, but it is irresistible now, and is probably best drunk over the next 2-3 years.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., octobre 2008.

Bright, clean and with gorgeous purity and lift, the 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape shows mineral and licorice laced dark fruit aromatics, medium to full body, awesome texture and a structured, long finish.
Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2009.

Absolutely stunning, the 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is packed with pure, clean and fresh aromas of assorted dark fruits, blackberry, lavender, flowers and spice. On the palate, it’s full bodied with beautifully sweet fruit ripe, fine grained tannins, perfect balance and a finish that simply won’t quite. This has the fruit to drink well young but the structure to age for 20 years. Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2009.

One of the top wines in the vintage, the 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre and 2% various and has 25% of the wine being aged in 40% new barrels. It offers up ripe, dark aromatics of cassis, blackberry, spice and grilled meat that are both fresh and decadent at the same time. These lead into a full bodied, massive palate that is perfectly balanced with amazing fruit and a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. While this will last for decades, the sheer seamlessness and balance should have it drinkable on release. Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2009.

Deep and layered, with decadent, chocolaty black fruits, crushed flowers, fruit cake, meat juice, and licorice, the 2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée XXL is one stunning bottle of wine! Seemingly richer and more compact that the straight Vieilles Vignes (certainly not as upfront and approachable currently), yet still showing superb purity and freshness, the wine is full-bodied and stunningly concentrated and rich on the palate, boasting a thick, chewy texture, perfect balance, and a blockbuster finish. While there is a wealth of sweet fruit on the palate, there’s also serious structure, loads of depth and plenty of ripe tannin on the finish. I followed this bottle for two days and it was as good on the second day as the first, giving me some confidence on how it will develop. No doubt, this is a profound bottle of wine that is a treat to drink now; however, I would plan on giving bottles a minimum of 8-10 years in the cellar before consuming.
Jeb Dunnuck, aout 2009.