Wine Guide
Producers
Domaine de la Janasse
In a world where the number of generations working the fields is as important as the number of bottles you produce, it would make sense that some of the younger winemakers in the Rhone Valley wine region remain unheard of. Take Domaine de la Janasse as a case in point: with titans such as Beaucastel and Rayas as its Chateauneuf-du-Pape neighbours, few people may be aware of the splendid wine being produced by the tiny Domaine de la Janasse. Despite having vines as old as 90 years on some parcels, the label is a mere 45 years old, making it one of the youngest in the region.
Sabon = savoir-faire
Taking its name from one of their small parcels of land in Chateauneuf du Pape, the actual estate proper is found in the area of Courthezon. Owned by the Sabon family, winemaking runs in this French family’s veins. Prior to exploiting the 15 hectares of fine Chateauneuf du Pape terroir for himself, Aimé Sabon was a negociant, selling his high-quality grapes to his now competitors. Under Aimé’s steerage, the domaine has grown to 90-hectares of fine Cotes du Rhone parcels and today produces 300,000 bottles, divided into three splendid reds and two lovely whites. Organic farming where possible and sustainable harvesting (the grapes are destemmed by hand and sorted twice) coupled with the harmonious hodgepodge of parcels and solid savoir-faire, give all cuvées a sound reputation.
A Rhone Valley wine to watch
La Revue des Vins de France rates the domaine at two stars and overall it scores well on aggregate scoring. Still very attainable price wise (ranging from €30-€100 per bottle depending on the year), price increase has not been as fast on Domaine de la Janesse as it has been with other producers. However, with all Rhone Valley wines (and notably Chateauneuf du Pape), gaining traction with both the Liv-ex and on the open market, we suggest that Domaine de la Janesse is one to watch.
Notable facts and vintages
  • 2016 Domaine Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition, described as “velvety, intense” was one of 10 wines mentioned in January 2019 NYT’s Wines of the Times “Châteauneuf-du-Pape Finds Its Balance”. With prices averaging €42 per bottle in Q2 2019, it’s still considered at the lower end of prices for wine of this calibre. The 2012 vintage was awarded 18/20 by Jancis Robinson.
  • 2014 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige Blanc, considered “A profound effort that rivals Beaucastel's old vine Roussanne cuvée for the top white in the appellation” by Robert Parker Wine Advocate’s Jeb Dunnuck who deemed this vintage worth 95 points, but the production was extremely tight with only four barrels, in part due to 20 per cent dropped crop.
  • 2016 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee XXL was given perfect scores of 100 by both Jeb Dunnuck and Robert Parker Wine Advocate; the first and only other vintage for this very coveted and acclaimed cuvee was created in 2007, and only 2000 bottles at that. Average prices (around €392 in 2019 Q2) are expected to rise.