Domaine de la Janasse

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine de la Janasse has always been passed down from generation to generation in a spirit of freedom, unencumbered by heavy legacies. Aimé Sabon took over the vineyards from his father, who worked with the local cooperative winery, and became an independent wine producer. Later, he literally handed over the keys to the winery to Christophe in 1991, who was joined by his sister Isabelle in 2001. The two of them have propelled the domaine to the top of the Chateauneuf rankings, combining respect for the terroir with rigorous viticultural standards and brilliant blending work. The fourth generation? They are studying for their diplomas and travelling the wine world. “Their grandfather passed on to them a love of the countryside, of working the land, cultivating one’s garden… It’s a natural progression. We are giving them the time to look at what’s being done elsewhere. They will join us (or not) when they are ready. In the meantime, La Janasse is continuing to evolve: organic conversion, massal selection from old Grenache vines, trials of hedgerows and green manure, etc. “What we want to leave behind is a winegrower’s domaine. After that, it’s all open, with no constraints or limitations.” Freedom is the most important thing!

Vineyards

90 ha including 20 ha AOC CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE, 30 ha AOC CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES, 25 ha AOC CÔTES DU RHÔNE, 25 ha VIN DE PAYS and VIN DE TABLE. Soils: smooth pebbles, clay-limestone, sand.

Cellar

Temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete tanks. Harvested by hand, sorted, crushed and partially destemmed. Manual punching of the cap. Vatting for 15 to 30 days. Aged for 12 to 18 months in barrels and foudres in air-conditioned cellars.

Wines

CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE RED • Tradition: Syrah (15%), Mourvèdre (15%), Grenache (70%). Blend of terroirs • Chaupin: Grenache (100%). Selection from a north-facing terroir. Age of vines: over 70 years • Vieilles Vignes: Grenache (85%). A blend of terroirs. Age of vines: over 80 years. • CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE WHITE: Grenache (40%), Roussanne (30%), Clairette (30%). Vinification and ageing partly in new barrels. • CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES RED • Clay soil: Syrah (1/4), Mourvèdre (1/4), Grenache (1/4), Carignan (1/4). Terroir of smooth pebbles and red clay. Aged in barrels. • CÔTES DU RHÔNE RED – Tradition: Grenache (50%), Mourvèdre (15%), Carignan (15%), Syrah (15%), Cinsault (5%) • Les Garrigues: Grenache (100%). Selected from a terroir of smooth pebbles. Age of vines: over 60 years. • CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ: Grenache, Cinsault. • CÔTES DU RHÔNE WHITE: Grenache (50%), Bourboulenc (15%), Clairette (15%), Viognier (10%), Roussanne (10%). Selected plots of sandy soils. • VIN DE PAYS DE LA PRINCIPAUTÉ D’ORANGE RED: Merlot/Syrah blend. Aged in barrels. • VIN DE PAYS DE LA PRINCIPAUTÉ D’ORANGE WHITE: Viognier (100%). One third aged in barrels.