2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de la Janasse, Rhône

This is part of our January 2023 sale. The price shown above includes a saving of 10%. Prices valid till January 24th and applies to 75cl bottles only and excludes BBX listings.

Their vielles vignes cuvée comes from six hectares of the property’s oldest vines, 40% of which date back to 1920, while others are from 1965. The red clay soils are strewn with large pebbles (galets roulés), which help retain heat and aid ripening – useful in cooler years such as 2014. As always, this is predominantly Grenache (80%) though at 15% this contains a higher proportion of Mourvèdre than sometimes, which brings additional structure.

The nose is vibrant and aromatic, with distinct herbal notes of thyme, bay leaf and raspberry leaf, while layers of creamed raspberries, wild strawberries, and blueberries adorn the palate. Pure, elegant, and poised, with a core of rocky minerality and hint of allspice, it is still extraordinarily fresh despite its 8 years of age. This is in its prime drinking window now, though could age for another 5-10 years easily, as the tertiary notes of tar and leather so typical of aged Châteauneuf are only just beginning to show.

Drink now - 2030+

Georgina Haacke, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (January 2022)