Enclave Vinothèque - Des Meilleurs aux Plus Rares PARTICULIERS

Note : 94/100 - A boire entre 2011 et 2026 selon R. Parker Note : 93/100 - A boire entre 2013 et 2023 selon Wine Spectator Le domaine a été créé en 1973 par Aimé Sabon. Il exploite à l heure actuelle environ 50 hectares de vigne répartis sur les appellations Châteauneuf du Pâpe, Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Village, mais aussi Vin de Pays de la Principauté d Orange et Vin de table. C est une exploitation familiale où sont apportés les meilleurs soins au travail de la vigne ainsi qu à l élaboration de très grands vins, dans la plus pure tradition Les vendanges 2008 se sont déroulées dans de bonnes conditions et ont pris fin aux alentours de la mi-octobre. Malgré deux épisodes orageux survenus mi-septembre, grâce au Mistral et aux températures fraîches qui en ont découlé (entre 1,5 et 2 °C de moins que les moyennes saisonnières), nous avons bénéficié de conditions climatiques satisfaisantes qui ont permis d’étaler les vendanges jusqu’à ce que les raisins atteignent de parfaites maturités phénolique et technologique. Les vins blancs se déclinent sur des notes de fleurs blanches (amandiers, cerisiers), ils présentent une belle ampleur, de la richesse et une finale sur la fraîcheur et l’équilibre. En 2009 le vignoble de Châteauneuf-du-Pape fêtera les 80 ans de sa reconnaissance en « appellation d’origine ». Cépages : 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 15% vieux Carignan, 5% Cinsault - éraflage : 80% - macération : 12 à 15 jours - élevage : 6 à 9 mois en foudre Dégustation :Arômes : fraise, cerise noire, une pointe de minéralité et d épices Source : Domaine de la Janasse Other terrific values include the 2008 Cotes du Rhone, a straightforward, fruity, Grenache-based red to consume over the next year. Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and their father operate one of the great Chateauneuf du Pape winemaking estates. They continue to invest in new vineyards as well as state-of-the-art winemaking equipment. Moreover, they never seem to be satisfied with the status quo, and are constantly challenging their past performances. Their 2007s were unbelievably good wines, the 2008s were among the finest wines of the appellation, and the 2009 vintage is another resounding success for them. The style is progressive, combining the best of traditional winemaking with the finest of a more modern approach. The wines all reflect their Provencal origins, only tiny quantities of new oak are used, and then only with the two grape varietals that can benefit from it (such as Syrah and Mourvedre). This is also a fabulous source for top wine values as the following tasting notes demonstrate. Christophe Sabon told me that the white varietals he works with tend to come from sandy and gravelly soils, so there is more finesse. Both Chateauneuf du Pape blanc cuvees are well-worth a search of the marketplace. Interestingly, Sabon achieves excellent acidity in his white Chateauneufs despite the fact that they go through 100% malolactic fermentation, an unusual practice for white Chateauneuf du Papes. His objective is to bottle them unfiltered, which he is able to do. The wines are also extremely low in SO2. As I wrote last year, Christophe Sabon made two of the finest Chateauneuf du Papes of 2008. The estate’s third cuvee, the Chaupin, was declassified into the traditional wine, which no doubt benefitted from it. Sabon told me there was more Mourvedre used in the blend in order to provide more structure and support to the Grenache in 2008. In 2009, all three cuvees were produced. I always think the harvest at Janasse must be one of the most difficult to manage as they have 200 acres of vines with over 200 separate parcels spread throughout the southern Rhone. Christophe told me it takes nearly two full days to just drive around and sample all the different vineyards to see where they are in terms of maturity. Source : Robert Parker