2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes

Blockbuster stuff, the brilliant 2001 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is one of the most decadent, large scaled wines of the vintage. Still incredibly youthful (provenance is key here as a prior bottle this year was much more evolved) and deep purple to the rim, it boast thick, rich aromas of blackberry liqueur, plum, meat juice, licorice, and hints of vanilla to go with a full-bodied, unctuously textured palate. Masses of fine tannin emerge on the finish, and despite the overall ripeness level here, this stays gorgeously fresh, focused, and balanced. It should continue to shine for another decade at the least.

Ruby-red. Roasted red plum, cherry liqueur and grilled meat on the nose; superripe but not over the top. Then thick, sweet, deep and young, with a compelling flavor of creme de cassis Powerful, dense, classic grenache en surmaturite Finishes with explosive length and lush, very fine tannins. Amazingly ripe, but wears its high alcohol gracefully.