Domaine de la Janasse
History
“Some of the world’s greatest values today come from the Southern Rhône.... ” – Jeb Dunnuck
Domaine de la Janasse was founded in 1976 by Aimé Sabon, the father of Christophe and Isabelle, who still oversees the vineyards. The property consists of 40 hectares, spread over as many as 70 different parcels throughout the appellation. While Aimé works in the vineyards, his children, Christophe and Isabelle, are in charge of wine production. Christophe is a self-proclaimed “great defender of Grenache,” which still represents 75% of their vines.
The critics are unanimous in their acclaim. Well deserved - high praise!
“Domaine de la Janasse has become one of the half dozen or so finest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.” - Robert Parker
“The quality is top notch and Domaine de la Janasse is a hidden gem for the moment. Don’t expect it to stay that way for long.” – Jeb Dunnuck
"From his top Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvées down through his Vin de Pays Rosé, Christophe Sabon gets quality into every bottle.” - James Molesworth
Elegance & Finesse
Christophe with assistance from Aimé and Isabelle, manages the common rusticity of Grenache-based wines through meticulous work in the vineyards and cellar. The result is a wide range of rich and flavorful Châteauneuf-du- Papes, Cotes-du-Rhônes and Vins de Pays that are complex and balanced – often in contradiction to a region better known for sheer exuberance and power. Very much like a Chateau Rayas!
Vine Age: 10 - 100+ Practicing organic and biodynamic
Grape Varieties: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault, Merlot, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Viognier
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge from Domaine de la Janasse is sourced from a wide variety of terroirs, totaling about 10 hectares, located in the northern part of the appellation and supplemented with a small portion of fruit from Le Crau. About 2/3 Grenache in most vintages, the rest of the blend includes varying amounts of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. Harvested by hand, the fruit is mostly destemmed (about 20% whole clusters are retained) with fermentation in vat. Macerations average between 21-28 days with daily, manual pigeage. The wine is then aged in foudre (80%) and French oak barrels (20%) of which a third are new.
Côtes-du-Rhône
Janasse is among the elite of the Southern Rhône. The house style here for the reds is silky, with lots of lush raspberry fruit and perfume aromas. It resembles the style of Rayas, as many of Janasse's vines are planted on similarly sandy soils around the town of Courthézon, but there's more obvious richness and darker fruit in the wines.
Vineyard map, Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone