2012 Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vieilles Vignes 1x750ml

Vinous 94

Inky ruby. Explosive aromas of dark berry preserves, incense and lavender, with a smoky overtone and bright minerality. Pliant and seamless in the mouth, offering intense, palate-staining cassis and blueberry flavors that are energized by juicy acidity. Shows real power and focus on the strikingly long finish, which features velvety tannins and a hint of candied flowers. There’s 15% alcohol here, which is actually quite low for this bottling, and I don’t detect any undue heat. [Josh Raynolds, 04/01/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030

Robert Parker 96

Up in the top handful of wines in the vintage (which should come as no surprise to anyone who follows this estate), the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, rich and layered Chateauneuf that doesn’t put a foot wrong. Made from 85% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, it offers blockbuster notes of blackberry, liquid-violets, spice and serious minerality to go with awesome mid-palate depth and layers of sweet tannin. Like the Cuvee Chaupin, it will be better in another handful of years and thrill through 2027. In case you haven’t been following any of the Wine Advocate reports over the past decade, Domaine de La Janasse, under the leadership of siblings Christophe and Isabelle Sabon, is one of the top two or three estates in the Southern Rhone. In addition to excelling in the top years, this estate also excels in the more difficult vintages. Looking at their 2013s, these were harvested around the October 18th. They have uncommon depth and richness in the vintage, beautifully sweet tannin, and will certainly be some of the top wines in the vintage. The 2012s also check in near the top of the hierarchy, [Jeb Dunnuck, 01/10/2014]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2027