2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin

Also classic in style, yet still structured and lively, the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin started out tight and reserved, yet opened up beautifully in the glass to show complex crushed flowers, white pepper, garrigue and kirsch. Like the traditional cuvee, it has plenty of grip and structure, and will have another 3-5 years of solid drinking. 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

The 2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chaupin (magnum) from Domaine de la Janasse was utterly spellbinding in the way it married elements of ripeness with minerality. Fresh and vibrant throughout, the Chaupin showed marvelous intensity and length in its seemingly endless layers of fruit. It was drop-dead gorgeous.

The 2001 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin has a dark red color along with a great nose of dark fruits, earth and tobacco aromas. Full bodied and fairly soft in the mouth, this shows a little funk at first but kept getting better with air.