Domaine de la Janasse - Terre de Bussière 2012

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

On the finest terroirs in Courthézon, the Domaine de la Janasse, the pride of the Sabon family, has established itself as one of the appellation's benchmarks for over 40 years. Christophe Sabon produces Côtes-du-Rhône wines of the highest level, with rare depth. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are expressed through different cuvées: chaupin, from a cold terroir with a very Burgundian approach, or the cuvée vieilles-vignes, sunnier and racier. Finally, the whites, in the shadow of the reds, are just as recommendable. The entire range is beyond reproach, and the great vintages are among the appellation's benchmarks.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A regular in the Guide, regular in quality and often featuring prominently in these pages for its côtes-du-rhône, châteauneuf-du-pape and vins de pays. Christophe and Isabelle Sabon, children of Aimé Sabon, who founded the estate in 1973, have created a blend dominated by Merlot (with Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet also present) with a generous bouquet of chocolate, brandied cherry and prune. This generosity is reflected in an ample, powerful, tannic palate, with a slightly strict finish. Two years of cellaring are recommended for this full-bodied, warm wine, which is a perfect match for stewed meats or chocolate desserts.

About the domain :

A regular in the Guide, often featured prominently for its Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône and IGP wines. Christophe Sabon and his sister Isabelle, children of Aimé Sabon, who founded the estate in 1973, manage a 90-hectare vineyard scattered over many parcels. The estate was completed in 2015 with the purchase of Clos Saint-Antonin and its 15 ha of vines in the Jonquières commune.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

A wine to match, tinged with flavors of black stone fruit, rockrose and blood orange! The wine is nervy, arrogant and the tannins grip the taste buds greedily.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

This great estate, which has belonged to the Sabon family for generations, is one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's elite. Most of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vines are located in the commune of Courthézon, with the parcels and soils varying from one to the next, which is reflected in the various cuvées. The domaine also produces some splendid Côtes-du-Rhône cuvées (important in terms of volume), from vines adjacent to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. With often very high maturities, the wines are opulent in style, sometimes a little too warm in sunny vintages. On the other hand, the tannins and textures are always of great finesse. In recent vintages, the wines have become less rich and slightly more digestible.

Wine Spectator

Jancis Robinson

Vinous A. Galloni

James Suckling

Jeb Dunnuck