In the northern reaches of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine de la Janasse has established itself among the Southern Rhône's most distinguished estates, producing some of the appellation's most coveted expressions of Grenache. Founded in 1973 by Aimé Sabon and brought to international prominence by the next generation, Christophe and Isabelle Sabon, the domaine has earned an extraordinary reputation for wines that unite concentration, complexity, and remarkable precision. Among its most celebrated bottlings stands Cuvée Chaupin, a singular expression of old-vine Grenache whose elegance and aromatic purity have established it among the benchmarks of modern Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The exceptional 2017 Southern Rhône vintage produced wines of remarkable richness, concentration, and intensity, with the finest estates achieving an extraordinary balance between ripe fruit and structural precision. At Domaine de la Janasse, the vintage yielded a magnificent Cuvée Chaupin, capturing the depth of old-vine Grenache without sacrificing the finesse that distinguishes its celebrated sandy terroirs. Awarded 98 points by Wine Enthusiast and 97+ points by Jeb Dunnuck, the 2017 stands among the estate's most compelling achievements, demonstrating the remarkable elegance and longevity possible in one of France's most powerful red wine appellations.

Cuvée Chaupin owes its distinctive character to the ancient Grenache vines rooted in the sandy soils of Chapouin, La Janasse, and La Crau. First bottled as a separate cuvée in 1990, the wine was conceived to showcase the exceptional purity and aromatic expression of Grenache from these remarkable vineyards. Unlike the galets roulés and clay-rich soils that define many of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's most powerful wines, these sandy parcels encourage an altogether different expression, emphasizing perfume, refined texture, and extraordinary finesse. The 2017 was vinified with approximately 20% whole clusters and matured in traditional large oak vessels, preserving the character of its terroir while developing impressive depth and complexity.

Composed entirely of Grenache, the 2017 reveals an extraordinary interplay of ripe raspberry, black cherry, crushed violets, licorice, and savory herbs, complemented by subtle notes of graphite, leather, and mineral complexity. Richly concentrated yet beautifully delineated, its full-bodied palate combines vibrant acidity with finely textured tannins and a remarkably persistent finish. Now approaching a decade of bottle age, this exceptional Châteauneuf-du-Pape is entering a compelling stage of its evolution, offering collectors the rare combination of immediate aromatic complexity and the structure to develop gracefully for many years to come.

Critical Acclaim

98 Points | Wine Enthusiast, Anna Lee C. Iijima
"It's a gorgeously silky, mouthdrenching sip framed by fine-grained, lingering tannins."