2004 Janasse Cuvee Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone RP--92 WS--94

Wine Spectator: 94 Points
Score: 94 Release Price: $100 Current Auction Price: $65 Country: France Region: Southern Rhone Issue: Nov 15, 2006 Packed with dark plum, boysenberry and blueberry fruit, along with graphite, black tea, sweet smoke and licorice. Long finish shows fig, mineral and toast notes. Great length. Drink now through 2026. 400 cases imported. --JM

Robert Parker: 92 Points
Wine Advocate #169 Feb 2007 Robert Parker 92 Drink: 2007 - 2019 $42 (42) The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape, which is 80% Grenache aged in tank or foudre and the rest, Mourvedre and Syrah, aged in small barrels, is a strong effort. Dense ruby/purple with a sweet nose of flowers, blackberries, sweet raspberry liqueur and Provencal herbs, it is dense, rich, medium to full-bodied, but pure, stylish, and delicious already. It should continue to evolve for a dozen or more years. Over the last decade Domaine de la Janasse has become one of the half dozen or so finest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape. However, they also produce an impressive range of Cotes du Rhones. This was also one of the few dozen or so estates that had exceptional success in 2003, a challenging vintage but, for those who did it right, some monumental wines. Proprietor Christophe Sabon compares 2004 with 1999, but with slightly more fruit and power.