France's southern Rhone, the home of Chateauneuf du Pape, endured a difficult growing season marked by high levels of rainfall in 2008, but some producers managed to create outstanding wines despite adversity.

Cool, rainy weather and a small crop means Chateauneuf du Pape 2008 may be destined to be overlooked in favour of the more successful 2007s, but this is all the more reason to seek out great wines that could be snapped up for a bargain.

Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2008, for instance, was awarded 94 points by Wine Spectator, which described it as a "pure, driven and well-rounded" wine with a long finish.

Robert Parker was similarly impressed, awarding the wine 91-93 points in the Wine Advocate and praising its "notes of charcoal, toast, chocolate, blackberries, cassis, liquorice, and earth".

Both agreed that Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2008 will drink well for 10 to 15 years, an unusual quality for the vintage.