The 2020 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is a standout Grenache wine from the esteemed Southern Rhone region of France. Produced by Domaine de la Janasse, this wine is crafted from 100% old vine Grenache, with some vines dating back to 1912, sourced from lieux-dits Chapouin, La Janasse, and La Crau.
This wine has garnered high praise from multiple professional reviewers. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it an impressive 99 points, describing it as a "Grenache lover's dream" and noting its "sexy, ripe, seamless, and remarkably elegant style." He highlighted the wine's "translucent ruby/purple hue" and "incredible aromatics of blackberries, black raspberries, peppery garrigue, herbes de Provence, and flowers," emphasizing its full-bodied and concentrated palate with silky tannins and a great finish.
Decanter also rated this wine highly, giving it 98 points. Their review lauded the wine's "full-bodied, generous in fruit and glycerol" profile, with tannins and acidity that "meld together into a single vertebral column." They remarked on its elegance and long finish, calling it "a very special wine."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provided a score range of 93-95 points, noting the wine's slightly herbal and stemmy nose balanced by "wonderful black cherry and blackberry fruit." The review praised its full-bodied, concentrated yet silky texture, and long, briny finish.
Vinous, which awarded the wine 95 points, highlighted its "shimmering pale-ruby" color and a complex bouquet featuring "raspberry jam, cooked strawberry, licorice, dried thyme, cured meat and bay leaves." They described the wine as "full-bodied, broad-shouldered and polished," with plush tannins and a "distinctively savory finish lasting well over a minute."
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gave the wine 96 points, noting an "interesting nose" of smoked kirsch, cherries, flowers, licorice, and cocoa. He described the palate as rich with "espresso-tinged dark cherries and cocoa," and praised its vibrancy, earthiness, and energy, with a touch of spice on the backend.
Wine Spectator also provided a solid review with 94 points, describing the wine as "ripe but very focused," with flavors of "raspberry, red currant and bitter cherry." They noted a "racy apple wood note" and a finish that includes "licorice, black tea, and graphite."
In summary, the 2020 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin is a highly acclaimed Grenache with a rich, complex profile and exceptional aging potential.