1998 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rhône France Wine Tasting Note

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1998 Domaine de la Janasse Vieilles Vignes  (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) 96 What a nice surprise. Until this tasting, this has not been my favorite Chateauneuf du Pape. But that changed with this bottle! It took almost 14 years, but clearly, it was worth the wait, even if it was my last bottle. With a deep color that made me think this wine was only a few years old, intense aromas of licorice, garrigue, black plums, cherries, kirsch, pepper, earth and spice, the offered an explosion of flavor and sensuous, deep textures. The long, concentrated finish delivered layers of lush, pure, ripe, spicy, dark berries. What a nice surprise. Until this tasting, this has not been my favorite Chateauneuf du Pape. But that changed with this bottle! It took almost 14 years, but clearly, it was worth the wait, even if it was my last bottle. With a deep color that made me think this wine was only a few years old, intense aromas of licorice, garrigue, black plums, cherries, kirsch, pepper, earth and spice, the offered an explosion of flavor and sensuous, deep textures. The long, concentrated finish delivered layers of lush, pure, ripe, spicy, dark berries. 4,186 Views   Tasted Oct 19, 2011  • Buy This Wine For The Lowest Price DOWNLOAD TASTING NOTE | Post to The wine offers wood, ripe back fruit, jam, pepper and herbal aromatics. This powerful wine is filled with ripe, jammy fruit and spice. But the oak distracted from the wine. In this case in both the nose and in the mouth. People who like this style will rate probably rate it higher. The wine offers wood, ripe back fruit, jam, pepper and herbal aromatics. This powerful wine is filled with ripe, jammy fruit and spice. But the oak distracted from the wine. In this case in both the nose and in the mouth. People who like this style will rate probably rate it higher. 4,895 Views   Tasted Aug 6, 2010

When to Drink Domaine Janasse, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Domaine Janasse is best when the wine is decanted for about 1-2 hours. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Domaine Janasse is usually better with 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages the wine should be consumed within 4-18 years after the vintage.

Serving Domaine Janasse with Wine, Food Pairing Tips

Domaine Janasse is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Domaine Janasse is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed dishes, sausage, barbecue and cassoulet. Domaine Janasse is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms pasta, eggplant, cheese and tomatoes.

The white wine of Domaine Janasse is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

If you're at Domaine Janasse, here is a little secret for you. Janasse also produces a very small amount of a Vin de Paille that is only sold at the property. It's a fun dessert wine that's worth purchasing. I wish I had purchased more. Oh well... there's always next time.

The Sabon family also owns an additional 40 hectares of vines in the Cotes du Rhone appellation where they produce 3 red Cotes du Rhone and 1 white Cotes du Rhone wine, along with red and white IGP wines.

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