Chateauneuf du Pape XXL 2007

Janasse, Domaine de la

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Tasting Notes
A curiosity is the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape XXL, a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre that fermented for nearly three years. Bottled earlier this year, it reminds me of some of the Cuvee Speciales that Henri Bonneau made, particularly the 1990 and 1998. One would think it might taste like an Amarone, but in fact, it doesn’t. It is a very thick, unctuously-textured, over-the-top wine with unbelievable concentration that is technically dry, even though the alcohol level is extraordinarily high. Only 1,400 bottles were produced. Several California Rhone Ranger winemakers told me they thought this was the greatest Chateauneuf du Pape they ever tasted, which didn’t really surprise me because it is a singularly great wine, although I am sure some people will look at the alcohol level and simply dismiss it as being out of balance. It has phenomenal balance and is a rich, massive wine that in 20 or so years, will be considered to be a legend of Chateauneuf du Pape. Score: 99 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 October 2010
To be bottled in February, 2010, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape XXL is a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre. It reminds me of what Henri Bonneau’s utterly perfect 1990 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins tasted like at two years of age. It has all the characteristics of the Janasse Vieilles Vignes in addition to a slightly later harvest and riper character. It gives the impression of having residual sweetness, but that is not the case as the appellation of Chateauneuf du Pape will declassify any wine with more than 0.3 grams per liter of residual sugar. The glycerin level is high, and the alcohol content must be around 16.5% as this offering is incredibly massive, rich, and obviously meant for long-term aging. I can’t wait to taste it out of bottle. There are only two demi-muids, which works out to about 2,000 bottles, so the lucky few who have an opportunity to purchase it, should not pass it up. (Not yet released) Always one of my favorite stops on my Rhone Valley trips, Domaine de la Janasse is run with incredible passion by Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and his father, who showed up nearly half naked as he was bringing in some white grapes on the torridly hot day I visited. What this family operation has achieved over the last decade is nothing short of remarkable considering the breadth of wines made, from their Vin de Pays, which are among the finest made in France, to their world-class Cotes du Rhones and Chateauneuf du Papes. While this estate is at the top of its game, it is not content to rest on the status quo and continues to push the envelope. Their 2008s are among the finest wines of the vintage, and as the following tasting notes and scores indicate, their 2007s are out of this world. The 2008 reds are surprisingly strong across the board at Domaine de la Janasse. There is no Cotes du Rhone Les Garrigues or Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin in this vintage, but the other cuvees are all noteworthy. 2007 is the greatest vintage I have ever tasted of Domaine de la Janasse – and that’s says something given the amazing wines produced here in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2006. Score: 98 - 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 October 2009
Inky purple. Wild, highly expressive aromas of kirsch, blackberry and fruitcake, with complementary notes of anise and violet. Broad dark fruit flavors show exotic spice and herb nuances, with velvety tannins providing support. Finishes sweet, sappy and long, with smoke and spice notes lingering. This wine, which fermented its sugars for two years, will be bottled in March of 2010. Score: 93 - 94 Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com 01 January 2010

Tasting Notes

A curiosity is the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape XXL, a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre that fermented for nearly three years. Bottled earlier this year, it reminds me of some of the Cuvee Speciales that Henri Bonneau made, particularly the 1990 and 1998. One would think it might taste like an Amarone, but in fact, it doesn’t. It is a very thick, unctuously-textured, over-the-top wine with unbelievable concentration that is technically dry, even though the alcohol level is extraordinarily high. Only 1,400 bottles were produced. Several California Rhone Ranger winemakers told me they thought this was the greatest Chateauneuf du Pape they ever tasted, which didn’t really surprise me because it is a singularly great wine, although I am sure some people will look at the alcohol level and simply dismiss it as being out of balance. It has phenomenal balance and is a rich, massive wine that in 20 or so years, will be considered to be a legend of Chateauneuf du Pape.

Score: 99

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 October 2010

To be bottled in February, 2010, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape XXL is a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre. It reminds me of what Henri Bonneau’s utterly perfect 1990 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Celestins tasted like at two years of age. It has all the characteristics of the Janasse Vieilles Vignes in addition to a slightly later harvest and riper character. It gives the impression of having residual sweetness, but that is not the case as the appellation of Chateauneuf du Pape will declassify any wine with more than 0.3 grams per liter of residual sugar. The glycerin level is high, and the alcohol content must be around 16.5% as this offering is incredibly massive, rich, and obviously meant for long-term aging. I can’t wait to taste it out of bottle. There are only two demi-muids, which works out to about 2,000 bottles, so the lucky few who have an opportunity to purchase it, should not pass it up. (Not yet released) Always one of my favorite stops on my Rhone Valley trips, Domaine de la Janasse is run with incredible passion by Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and his father, who showed up nearly half naked as he was bringing in some white grapes on the torridly hot day I visited. What this family operation has achieved over the last decade is nothing short of remarkable considering the breadth of wines made, from their Vin de Pays, which are among the finest made in France, to their world-class Cotes du Rhones and Chateauneuf du Papes. While this estate is at the top of its game, it is not content to rest on the status quo and continues to push the envelope. Their 2008s are among the finest wines of the vintage, and as the following tasting notes and scores indicate, their 2007s are out of this world. The 2008 reds are surprisingly strong across the board at Domaine de la Janasse. There is no Cotes du Rhone Les Garrigues or Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin in this vintage, but the other cuvees are all noteworthy. 2007 is the greatest vintage I have ever tasted of Domaine de la Janasse – and that’s says something given the amazing wines produced here in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2006.

Score: 98 - 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 October 2009

Inky purple. Wild, highly expressive aromas of kirsch, blackberry and fruitcake, with complementary notes of anise and violet. Broad dark fruit flavors show exotic spice and herb nuances, with velvety tannins providing support. Finishes sweet, sappy and long, with smoke and spice notes lingering. This wine, which fermented its sugars for two years, will be bottled in March of 2010.

Score: 93 - 94

Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com 01 January 2010

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