Wine Advocate October, 2013 And a candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is always a rough blend of 85% Grenache and the balance Syrah, Mourvedre, Clairette and other permitted varieties, that has the Grenache aged all in foudre and the Syrah and Mourvedre aged in one-third new barrels (that’s less than 6% of the blend in new barrels). Exhibiting gorgeous black fruits, spice-box, toast, licorice and roasted meat-like qualities on the nose, it is full-bodied, concentrated and layered on the palate, with loads of texture, yet delivers no weight, heat, or ever puts a foot wrong. Shockingly good in the vintage, it should not be missed. Hats off to Christophe and Isabelle. Drink now-2027. Wine Advocate October, 2012 The same thing is true for its sibling, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes. This cuvee comes from four parcels of the estate’s oldest vines, and tends to be 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Syrah. The Grenache is always aged in foudre and the other cepages aged in small oak. The three terroirs include Les Soumades (primarily red clay soils), La Crau, old vines near Chateau Beaucastel, and the terroir after which this estate is named, Janasse, which is primarily clay and limestone covered by the thick carpet of stones known as the galets roules. Achieving 16.5% natural alcohol in 2011 was no easy task, but this wine is not the least bit hot. Full-bodied, intense and opulent, it may be the wine of the vintage, not only in Chateauneuf du Pape, but in all of southern France. This amazing effort transcends the vintage. It is a tribute to the extraordinary viticultural and winemaking perfection/obsession of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon and their father. This black/purple-hued 2011 exhibits lots of cassis, floral, black raspberry and kirsch characteristics as well as potential longevity of 10-15 years or longer. It is an amazing effort for the vintage! (93-95)