Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape White

When you talk about Châteauneuf-du-Pape, you're usually referring to the red grapes of this southern French flagship appellation. It's no wonder that only 6 percent of the 3,100 hectares in this growing region are planted with white vines—and these are exceptionally rare and exceptional at the top. Proof of this is this Châteauneuf du Pape from Janasse, with a complex fruit bomb of peach, citrus, pear, and vanilla. This white wine is a blend of 40 percent Grenache Blanc, 30 percent Clairette, and 30 percent Roussanne.

The very high quality of Domaine de la Janasse

Domaine de la Janasse dates back to 1967 when it was founded by Aimé Sabon with 15 hectares of vineyard. The total area now comprises 90 hectares and is currently run by their son, Christophe, and his sister, Isabelle. The vineyards are situated on challenging subsoils of gravel, sand, and large boulders. The vines are between 40 and 80 years old. Yields are typically less than 30 hl/ha due to strict pruning and a strict sales distance. Janasse's big breakthrough came in 2007, when their Châteauneuf du Pape "Veilles Vignes" scored 100 Parker points. All their wines receive excellent ratings year after year. The quality of this estate is so good that even their "regular" Cotes-du-Rhone has a worldwide reputation! This is truly a top-notch estate!

Manual harvest for Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape White

Due to the challenging soil conditions, the grapes are harvested exclusively by hand. The Roussanne ferments and matures for seven months "sur lie" in oak barrels (80 percent new wood). The Grenache and Clairette ferment and mature in foeders with regular battonage. This white Châteauneuf du Pape has aromas of marmalade, honey, and apricots on the nose. On the palate, it offers elegance, richness, and fruitiness. The wine has a ripe texture with notes of lemon peel. The finish is a touch of salt and a pleasant bitterness, and what lingers is a wonderful, lasting feeling of freshness.