Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape ''Vieilles Vignes'' 2017

97 pts Wine Advocate

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes derives from parcels planted on classic clay and galets roulés soils. It's 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% other varieties. Tight, intense, even clenched, it's in need of several years' cellaring before it becomes truly enjoyable to drink. For now, those gorgeous black cherries are restrained behind a firm wall of tannins. Full-bodied and rich, this is ripe, it just requires patience.

93-95 pts Vinous

Dark violet. Expansive dark berry liqueur, cherry pie, licorice candy and potpourri aromas are complemented by an exotic flourish of Moroccan spices. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors, along with sweetening cola and floral pastille nuances. Slowly firms up with air and finishes with outstanding clarity, suave, even tannins and excellent, floral-driven persistence.

94 pts James Suckling

There’s less grenache here in 2017 (60%); the balance is made up of syrah and mourvedre, all from 80 to 100 years of age. The richness and depth here is really impressive, as is the freshness of ripe berries and a dark and quite dense, plum and black-cherry burst at the finish. The palate has a very supple, succulent and juicy feel. Some firmness to the tannins and good drive with a silky edge. Try from 2024.