TN: 2003 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Cha

WINE TALK
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  • 2003 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (4/26/2009)
    I wasn’t really expecting to like, as I was predisposed to think it would be hot and over the top. Surprise, surprise, this was terrific. Yes, it is very ripe with a sweet, Grenachey core of raspberry jam, yet this is vibrant with wonderful Provencale herbs and that papery dryness that I associate with Grenache. This was frankly far more classic and less extreme than I expected, not roasted, not muddy. Yes a bit ripe and sweet and potent but in a pleasing way. Basically this is pleasure juice. Not overly complicated, not too simple, just purely hedonistic which is what I tend to look for in a lot of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. If you have some and are waiting, pop one. I didn’t bother decanting, and this didn’t need it. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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I’ve heard that the heat of '03 was less influential in the Rhone - don’t know if it wasn’t as hot there or if the grape varieties are just more tolerant of higher temps. I like the description “pleasure juice” - can’t complain about that!

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Steve, you are right that Châteauneuf-du-Pape is always pretty hot, so 2003 was less unusual there relatively speaking. That said, 2003 CDP’s are a pretty wacky bunch, lots of Zinnish (2003 Beaucastel) wines, lots of bitter tannins, so controversial wines (2003 Clos des Papes), so stunners (2003 Pegau). It is a mixed bag, and I have had a lot. I wasn’t expecting to like this one, but as I said, it was pleasure juice, pure French love and lust. Reallly fun wine.