Domaine de la Janasse Cotes du Rhone Villages Terre d'Argile 2020

DOMAINE de la JANASSE, people! One of grenache’s foremost champions and one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's greatest stars – with their overachieving, dare-to-taste-this-blind Côtes du Rhône! 91 POINTS and UNDER $20 each when you grab six or more!

“The Cotes du Rhone Villages Terre de l'Argile and Cotes du Rhone Les Garrigues could easily pass as Châteauneufs in a blind tasting.” – The Wine Advocate

Exactly. We’ve been saying as much for years, but it is always nice to receive affirmation from possibly the most influential wine magazine in the world. Christophe Sabon has made Domaine de la Janasse a true treasure of the Rhone – with many arguing that his wines are even an improvement on those of his father, Aimé. That is high praise indeed, and without inciting any family squabbles – we’ll just say that these wines are remarkable…one of the most consistent, highest quality and highest value portfolios to be had in all of France.

The estate got started in the early 1970s when Aimé Sabon took over his father’s farm. Like many in Châteauneuf, the family had always sold their grapes to the local co-op, but Aimé bucked that trend – building his own cellar and producing his own wines. He named it Domaine de la Janasse after the family farm in Courthézon, in the locality of “La Janasse”. Starting with 15 hectares, Aimé’s ambition led to his acquiring more and more neighboring plots...today, the estate has over 90 hectares.

Beginning in the early 1990s, the next generation took over. Christophe Sabon –Aimé's eldest son– came back from Beaune with degrees in viticulture, oenology, and marketing and was subsequently given control of the cellar. A decade later, his sister, Isabelle, graduated from the University of Toulouse – also with an oenology degree, and joined Chris in the cellar. Today, this duo continues to produce a bevy of sensational Côtes du Rhônes and Châteauneuf-du-Papes from their vines in the northeastern region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and around the village of Courthézon.

This exceptional village wine is composed of equal parts – namely 25% grenache, 25% syrah, 25% mourvèdre, and 25% carignan. While the house normally focuses on highlighting grenache, this cuvee is an opportunity to showcase the “other” grapes of the Rhone. With the high-toned and red-fruit driven grenache on equal footing – a decidedly more deeply black-fruited and olive-rich note takes center stage – with a wild bramble berry characteristic of black currants and black raspberries accented by anise, vanilla, and toasted spices. The finish is dusty and dry, with an immensity to the palate that is surprising for a Côtes du Rhône. This powerful wine will certainly drink well for a decade or more, and if you need to stump a professed CdP lover in a blind tasting – I can’t think of a better wine to do it! At the remarkable price of $19.95 per bottle on six – load up now and you can thank us later!

PAIRING IDEAS: This one’s easy...grilled lamb chops! I marinated mine in olive oil, garlic and rosemary, quickly seared, then brushed with pomegranate molasses and coated in crushed pistachios. Finish in a 400 degree oven to medium rare and this is just perfect!