We’re going Deep Cover again for ”an enormously powerful wine…” per Decanter.

With 98 points AND over half off, mind you.

From what Robert Parker calls “one of the great winemaking estates of not only France, but of the world.” Domaine de la Janasse has become a superstar in the region in a relatively short period of time. They set a benchmark for what’s possible in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The Domaine was started with an inherited piece of land in the mid-1970s by Aimé Sabon, who still tends to the vineyard and organic practices to this day. Back then, most wine-growing properties would sell their fruit to the local co-op, but Sabon had grand plans. He acquired more acreage and focused on building the empire. His son, Christophe Sabon, is now at the helm and manages to retain the classic CdP flavor profile with lush complexity and balanced acidity.

The Vieilles Vignes, or old vines as the French say, is from vineyards 60-110+ years of age. Out of barrel, Jeb Dunnuck called it “easily the most powerful in the lineup” for good reason. Add to that the Wine Advocate declaration: “the expensive and rare Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is almost always near the top of its class.”

We got all we could but that’s not (saying) much. Is it going POOF in a matter of hours? Minutes?!

98 Points – Decanter “Full, lush and powerful, with a wall of intense tannin – this is an enormously powerful wine that will take many years to approach a state of drinkability. Huge concentration and huge intensity, in many ways this fits the Châteauneuf archetype of statuesque wines for very long ageing. Be prepared for a long wait, followed by rich rewards. Partly destemmed, fermented in concrete, matured for 12 months in foudres and demi-muids. Drink 2034-2047.”