Domaine de la Janasse is one of the Rhône Valley's most highly regarded family estates, located in Courthézon, just north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Although the family has farmed vines for generations, the modern estate was established in 1973 by Aimé Sabon and has since been transformed by his children, Christophe and Isabelle Sabon, into one of the appellation's benchmark producers.

The estate comprises approximately 90 hectares, including more than 20 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with parcels spread across many of the appellation's finest terroirs, such as Le Crau, Les Garrigues, La Janasse and Chapouin. The Vieilles Vignes cuvée is the flagship red, produced primarily from very old Grenache vines, many over 100 years old, complemented by Mourvèdre, Syrah and small proportions of other permitted varieties. Fermentation is carried out in concrete tanks, followed by ageing in a combination of large foudres and French oak barrels, resulting in a wine that combines concentration with remarkable finesse.

The 2021 Vieilles Vignes is composed of approximately 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 5% other traditional varieties, including a small proportion of old-vine Clairette Rose co-planted with Grenache. The cooler 2021 vintage produced wines with freshness, aromatic precision and excellent balance.

Deep ruby in colour, the bouquet reveals aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, wild strawberry and plum, layered with notes of garrigue, liquorice, lavender, smoked herbs, cracked pepper and warm spice. The palate is full-bodied yet beautifully poised, offering velvety tannins, vibrant acidity and exceptional purity of fruit. Concentrated flavours of dark berries, cocoa, savoury herbs and mineral nuances lead to a remarkably long, elegant finish. Compared with richer vintages such as 2020 or 2022, the 2021 emphasises refinement, freshness and terroir expression over sheer power.

" The advantages of old vines are perhaps most evident in the more difficult vintages. The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes delivers supple, velvety waves of ripe black cherries and black raspberries. Rich and concentrated without seeming heavy or unbalanced, it finishes long and juicy. " -- Wine Advocate, Joe Czerwinski

" Pure, medium-bodied, with a lovely fine texture that's beautifully velvety. There's no lack of ripeness in either fruit or tannin, both plentiful yet fine and succulent. Long, balanced and exceptionally elegant." -- Decanter

" Described as one of the standout wines of the vintage, showing exceptional depth, layered black fruits, Provençal herbs, floral lift and seamless balance, with the concentration to age for decades. " -- Jeb Dunnuck