Domaine de La Janasse CdP Vieilles Vignes 2022 (750ML)

98 DE / 96-98 WA / 95 JD / 95 WS / 17 JR

#79 Wine Spectator Top 100 2024

Full, lush and powerful, with a wall of intense tannin – this is an enormously powerful wine that will take many years to approach a state of drinkability. Huge concentration and huge intensity, in many ways this fits the Châteauneuf archetype of statuesque wines for very long ageing. Be prepared for a long wait, followed by rich rewards. Partly destemmed, fermented in concrete, matured for 12 months in foudres and demi-muids. -Matt Walls, Decanter

Not yet bottled when I visited the estate last summer, volumes of the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes are down by about one-third, as a parcel in La Crau that normally goes into this cuvée was wiped out by hail. Roughly 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 5% other permitted varieties, it delivers huge waves of cherry and raspberry fruit. Full-bodied and concentrated, it shows great fruit sweetness throughout, framed by ripe, velvety tannins that finish softly dusty, without impeding the wine's considerable length. -Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate

Due to the devastating storm on the La Crau plateau just before harvest, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes from the La Janasse, Terra Blanche (pebbly portion), and Barnouine lieux-dits and doesn't include the parcel from La Crau that normally makes up the backbone of this cuvée. As such, it's a much more supple, elegant expression of this cuvée, offering ripe red and black fruits, crushed stone, flowers, and Provençal garrigue. With medium to full-bodied richness, it's beautifully balanced, has fine yet certainly building tannins, and outstanding length. Regardless of the modified blend, this is still a gorgeous wine, and given the unique nature of it, it’s little bit of a unicorn. It will have 15 years of prime drinking.-Jeb Dunnuck

This powerhouse unleashes rich waves of black licorice, cherry paste and spiced plum. Shows impressive texture and energy, with black tea tannins bringing good form to the simmering, opulent palate. Grilled cedar, anise and smoke notes round out the concentrated finish; a hedonist's red for sure, this nonetheless shows real integrity and balance. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2026 through 2040. 3,333 cases made, 504 cases imported. —KB, Wine Spectator

The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is as concentrated and dense as one would expect from this full-throttle cuvée, but this is one instance where I prefer the 2021 vintage over the 2022. Pronounced licorice, red and black cherry, ripe strawberry and garrigue notes are all pushed forward here. The massive tannic core provides ample structure but demands at least until 2030 to integrate into the wine. Although impressively powerful and deeply layered, the 2022 doesn’t strike me as a superstar, at least not on this occasion. -- Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media

85% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% other varieties. Partially destemmed and vinified in concrete tanks. Aged for 12 months in foudres (70%) and demi-muids (30%). Cask sample.
Tasted blind. Both floral and sweet dark fruits on the nose. A densely saturated palate with firm and chewy tannins. Lavender, garrigue and spiced notes, with gravel, smoke and meaty spice. A saline note on the rich, tight finish. -Alistair Cooper MW, JancisRobinson