2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes
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Tasting notes
Showing even better than when I tasted it for the 2004 retrospective earlier this year, the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is about as rich and textured as they come in the vintage. Blackberry, licorice-laced cherries, sugared garrigue and crushed flowers all emerge from this full-bodied, supple and yet beautifully balanced wine. As with the Chaupin, it’s entering its prime drink window, and will continue to evolve gracefully. I’ll say again though, it’s drinking beautifully now. One of the benchmark estates in the Rhone Valley, Domaine de la Janasse is run by the talented brother/sister pair of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon. Located in the northeastern portion of the region, near Courthezon, they produce an incredible range of wines, from their Vin de Pays, to their Cotes du Rones and world-class Chateauneuf du Papes, all of which are noteworthy. For this tasting, we started with the 1990s and went up through their 2007s. At this point, the ‘98s through the 2004s are all in varying degrees of full maturity, and drinking brilliantly. In addition, it’s also worth pointing out that these wines have the fruit and texture to dish out immense pleasure in their youth, so don’t be afraid to crack these new releases either. Both of the 1999s were drinking beautifully, and are up near the top of the vintage. Moving to the 2000s, I found that from this point forward, the wines started to show more freshness and vibrancy. Looking specifically at this vintage, these are still mature wines, yet they’re drinking beautifully. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
One of the top wine of the vintage, the 2004 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes shows the typical Vieilles Vignes profile but in a toned down, more streamlined and dare I say, elegant version. The nose shows perfectly ripe black berry and cassis fruit aromas that are complemented by graphite, minerals, saddle leather and subtle garrigue notes. This is probably as feminie a Vieille Vignes as you're going to get and the palate is medium to full bodied with impressive, pure fruit, beautiful delineation and a precise texture that leads into a long, clean finish. Drink this beauty over the next 10 to 12 years.
Opaque ruby. Incredibly powerful bouquet encompasses cherry, blackberry, cassis, candied plum, dark chocolate, licorice and garrigue Positively mouthfilling, with potent, liqueur-like dark fruit, licorice and mocha flavors, but also with surprising freshness and cut. As weighty as this is, there's a sense of elegance, too. Finishes juicy, sweet and impressively long, with persistent cassis and blackberry flavors. Wow!
Very dark purplish crimson. Full, sweet, dramatic nose. Thick and sweet – macerated cherries in spirit. Rich and satisfying – quite early, I would have thought. Lively and dense at the same time. Not classical and the finish is a little sudden but there is lots of pleasure here. (JR)
About the producer
Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro
Red
Dry