Domaine de La Janasse Chaupin CdP 2020 (750ML)

99 JD / 98 DE / 95 VM 

I was blown away by the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Chaupin, a 100% Grenache release that comes almost exclusively from the Chaupin lieu-dit in the northern part of the appellation. It's never as inky-hued or powerful as the Vieilles Vignes but always screams Grenache with its sexy, ripe, seamless, and remarkably elegant style. The 2020 offers a translucent ruby/purple hue as well as incredible aromatics of blackberries, black raspberries, peppery garrigue, herbes de Provence, and flowers, and it opens up nicely with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it has silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. I finished my note with "a Grenache lover's dream." This is up with the finest vintages produced and will evolve for 15+ years. - Jeb Dunnuck

Full-bodied, generous in fruit and glycerol. The tannins and acidity seem to meld together into a single vertebral column. The alcohol is present, lending sweetness rather than heat. Remarkably elegant for a wine of these dimensions, with great, rising, upright flavours and structure. This is a very special wine with a long finish. Parcels of Grenache planted on lieux-dits Chapouin, La Janasse and La Crau, the oldest planted in 1912. - Matt Walls, Decanter

Shimmering pale-ruby. The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chaupin checks in at 15.5% alcohol. It mixes fragrant aromas of raspberry jam, cooked strawberry, licorice, dried thyme, cured meat and bay leaves. Full-bodied, broad-shouldered and polished, the 2020 Chaupin is wrapped in plush tannins, concluding with a distinctively savory finish lasting well over a minute. In this vintage, the Chaupin outperforms the Vieilles Vignes.--NG, Vinous Media