1998 Domaine de la Janasse "Cuvée Chaupin" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

I’ve had numerous bottles of the 1998 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin over the past 5 or so years, and this was easily the best showing to date. From a cooler terroir in the northern part of the AOC, from mainly clay soils, the wine is still purple to the rim with decadent cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with licorice, freshly snipped flowers, and touches of garrigue. The youthful impression carries over the finish as well, where it’s full bodied, beautifully balanced, textured, and long.

Much denser than the normal cuvée, with pain d'épice, date, fig, mint and sweet tobacco notes. The long finish is very plush, with a bacony note. Still has some grip to shed. A beauty. (JM)