Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Chaupin 2019

This Grenache is sourced from the sandy soils of two prized vineyards, La Janasse and La Crau. Redolent of rose petals, smoky tea leaves and black cherry, the deeply penetrating wine pulsates through a long, long finish. Matured 12 months in large-format wood, it's pure in fruit and satiny on the palate. Stunning young, the wine should gain complexity through at least 2040 and hold much further still.

I was able to taste the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Chaupin on two occasions, rating it one point higher on one of those as well. Incredible notes of red and black fruits, violets, scorched earth, ground pepper, and Provençal garrigue notes define the nose, and it’s a darker, richer, slightly more powerful wine than usual, while still showing the inherent elegance and finesse this cuvée always shows. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15-20. Don’t miss it!

Amazing aerial freshness to the aromas - somehow both full-bodied but weightless with a perfect balance. This is silky smooth, a very elegant wine with a touch of blackcurrant to the raspberry fruits. The alcohol is warming on the finish however. Parcels of Grenache planted on lieux-dits Chapouin, La Janasse and La Crau, the oldest planted in 1912.