Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Chaupin 2016

Bottled end of February/early in March, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin is incredible stuff, and while I suspect it’s the best vintage to date, it’s going to be great comparing it to bottles of the 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2015 over the coming 15+ years. This beauty offers a thrilling blend of kirsch, blackberries, smoked earth, graphite, and licorice on the nose. It's full-bodied, deep, pure, ultra-fine, and powerful on the palate and flirts with perfection. It’s a tour de force in Grenache that readers need to snatch up!

The terrific 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin has lived up to my expectations from last year's visit. It's 100% Grenache, includes some parcels planted back in 1912, and half was vinified with stems. From sandy sites, it showcases the ability of Grenache to ripen fully yet retain a sense of elegance and lightness. It's full-bodied and velvety but also vibrant, with black cherry fruit and hints of chocolate balanced by incredibly silky tannins and freshness on the finish. Really impressive stuff.

Bright-rimmed magenta. Highly expressive red and blue fruit preserve aromas are complicated by hints of candied lavender, exotic spices and smoky minerals. Juicy black raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors show superb concentration and appealing sweetness, and an undercurrent of minerality provides support. Delivers a compelling blend of power and finesse and finishes with gentle tannic grip, a strong suggestion of sweet blue fruit and fabulous persistence.

A deep, savoury nose with a back note of menthol overlaid with detailed bramble and raspberry. The palate has some fairly assertive tannins holding it all together, with good texture and relief. Nicely balanced, lots of detail to enjoy.