Of all the classic wine appellations of France, the southern Rhone remains the happy hunting ground for exceptional wines at less than exorbitant prices, especially when compared to first growth Bordeaux, grand cru Burgundy and de-luxe northern Rhone wines. We are now seeing the release of the 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape and neighbouring wines from the southern Rhone. Rhone authority Robert Parker Jr of ‘The Wine Advocate’ describes 2007 as a “vintage of a lifetime” and the greatest vintage he has ever tasted in his thirty years of working in the region. According to Parker, the wines have super depth of fruit, aromatic and concentrated, focussed and pure, and will be very long-lived by way of their extraordinary balance. Southern Rhone wine lovers are particularly fortunate, because 2007 follows the excellent 2006 vintage which has produced wines of immediate accessibility, fruit-forward charm and intrinsic equilibrium and balance, which will also endow them terrific ageing ability. These are two vintages that must be on the shopping list for any true lover of Rhone wines, and we offer four outstanding examples from two great estates:

Domaine Charvin

Located 5 km south of Orange on the north-west corner of the Chateauneuf appellation, the Charvin domaine has only come to the attention of the world in the last few years, due to the efforts of Laurent Charvin and is now one of the most highly sought-after producers. In spite of their fame, the Charvin family have kept their wines at remarkably good prices.

Charvin Cotes du Rhone 2007
This comes from 13 hectares just outside the Chateauneuf boundaries and is made from 35 y.o. Grenache supported by Syrah, Carignan and a little white Bourboulenc. Traditional winemaking as with the flagship Chateauneuf wine with 18 months aging in tank and barrel and bottling without filtration has resulted in a juicy, elegant wine with flavours of black cherries and Provencal herbs laced with subtle spices. A junior version of the more serious Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine, and a wine to enjoy while waiting for the top wines come to full maturity.

Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006
The Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape has turned out to be one of the top labels of the vintage. Made from 85% Grenache with the rest equal parts Syrah, Mourvedre and Vaccarese, vines averaging 45 y.o., this is full-bodied with rich and sweet flavours of dark fruits complexed with the initial stages of game-like secondary characteristics. This will age 10-15 years effortlessly. Those who have purchased Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape previously should not miss out on this superb wine.

Domaine de la Janasse

With 50 ha of vineyards in differing appellations of the southern Rhone, this domaine created by Aime Sabon in 1973 has become one of the leading producers of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The Sabon family take great care in identifying the suitability of the different varietals and matching the blend to best representation of the soils, resulting in the different cuvees. We have extremely limited quantities of the Janasse wines.

Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Tradition’ 2007
A blend to show the harmony of different proportions of cepage and soil types. 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvedre from sandy, pebbly and clay soils, 20% aged in barrels of which one third were new. Cassis, liquorice and spices feature in what may be the best ever release under this label yet. Multi-layered in flavours, this will cellar for two decades.

Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape’ ‘Chaupin’ 2007
This cuvee is 100% old-vine Grenache, some of the vines nearly a century in age, planted in the sandy clay ‘Chapoin’ soil which enables slower and long hang time for the fruit, resulting in a wine packed with remarkable aromatics and a concentration that is simply mind-boggling. 30% aged in barrel, of which 25% were new. Rated 95-99 points by Robert Parker Jr.