2010 Cotes du Rhone Villages Terre d'Argile

Inky purple. Brighter and higher in pitch than the straight Cotes du Rhone today, displaying aromas of raspberry, rose and Asian spices. Fresh and nervy on the palate, offering powerful red berry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of candied rose. Fine-grained tannins add grip to the long, spicy, well-focused finish.

It’s always a good sign with the first word in my notes is “Wow” and the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Côtes du Rhône Villages Terre d'Argile looks to be the best vintage of this cuvee yet! Showing serious and intense aromas, this full-bodied, uncommonly rich Côtes du Rhône has layers of texture, brilliant concentration, and a very long finish. It should be approachable on release, but benefit from short to mid-term cellaring. Exciting stuff.

The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Terre d’Argile is a magnificent effort from the galets roules soils just behind Chateau Beaucastel, across the border of Chateauneuf du Pape. Huge notes of black raspberries, forest floor, truffles, roasted meats, bouquet garni, black raspberries and black currants jump from a glass of this powerful, rich, concentrated wine. With excellent acidity, sweet tannin and amazing concentration for a Cotes du Rhone-Villages, it should drink well for 6-8 years. ||Domaine de la Janasse is one of the great winemaking estates of not only France, but of the world. It is situated adjacent to the Auto Route de Soleil opposite Chateauneuf du Pape, at the entrance to the village of Courthezon. Janasse is managed by Christophe Sabon and his sister, Isabelle. Although their father is technically retired, he is still a visible as well as spiritual presence at this superb estate. Janasse owns over 40 acres in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as significant holdings in the Cotes du Rhone appellations. The consistency at this estate since the mid-1990s has been remarkable. Year in and year out, the wines, both reds and whites, are among the finest one will find ... anywhere! 2011 is consistently a top vintage at Janasse, even though it is by no means a great vintage in the southern Rhone, and their prodigious 2010s compete with their remarkable array of 2007s and 2009s. First, the 2011s, a challenging year that depended on vignerons making strict selections, not only in the vineyard, but also on the triage tables. Sabon has certainly done that. Janasse’s white Chateauneuf du Papes are fascinating as Sabon is one of the last producers to still do a 100% malolactic fermentation and no filtration. 2010 rivals 2007 as the two greatest vintages I have ever tasted at Domaine de la Janasse (and I’ve been tasting their wines for over two decades). Wine Advocate.October, 2012