2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes
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Tasting Notes
The perfect 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes (tasted on four separate occasions) is composed of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and other authorized varietals from 60- to 100+-year-old vines. The wine is aged in both tank (75%) and small oak barrels (25%). Its inky/purple color is followed by a phenomenal nose of spring flowers, creme de cassis, blackberries, boysenberries, licorice, truffles, and spice. Displaying massive body, incredible freshness, laser-like focus from the excellent acids, and a finish that goes on well past a minute, this prodigious Chateauneuf du Pape is the most extraordinary wine yet made at this estate. While accessible (as most 2007s are), ideally it needs 4-5 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 185 Oct 2009
Critic Scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The finest wine I’ve ever tasted from the Sabon’s (although the 2010 gives it a run for its money), the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a flawless example of what this estate is capable of in a great year. Full-bodied, decadent and layered, with incredible purity and freshness, it boasts heavenly notes of blackberry, chocolate, licorice, red wine marinade and roasted meat. It’s a monumental wine that offers a singular, yet hedonistic drinking experience that should not be missed.||One of the benchmark estates in the Rhone Valley, Domaine de la Janasse is run by the talented brother/sister pair of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon. Located in the northeastern portion of the region, near Courthezon, they produce an incredible range of wines, from their Vin de Pays, to their Cotes du Rones and world-class Chateauneuf du Papes, all of which are noteworthy. For this tasting, we started with the 1990s and went up through their 2007s. At this point, the ‘98s through the 2004s are all in varying degrees of full maturity, and drinking brilliantly. In addition, it’s also worth pointing out that these wines have the fruit and texture to dish out immense pleasure in their youth, so don’t be afraid to crack these new releases either. Both of the 1999s were drinking beautifully, and are up near the top of the vintage. Moving to the 2000s, I found that from this point forward, the wines started to show more freshness and vibrancy. Looking specifically at this vintage, these are still mature wines, yet they’re drinking beautifully. eRobertParker.com.August, 2014
