Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes Domaine de la Janasse 1998 (3L)

96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "A bigger, richer wine than the Cuvee Chaupin, the 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is full-bodied, rich and silky on the palate, with classic Janasse notes of barbecue smoke, licorice, peppery herbs and smoked black fruits. I’ve been lucky enough to have multiple bottles of this recently, all of which have shown beautifully. There’s no upside, but it will continue drinking nicely through 2023." 8/15

93 Points, Stephan Tanzer, Vinous: "Good bright red-ruby. High-pitched aromas of cherry, eucalyptus and spicy oak. Juicy and high-pitched in the mouth, with dark fruit and garrigue flavors complicated by mint, mocha, sexy oak scents and minerals. Not especially pliant but tangy, lightly saline and gripping, and not at all overly sweet or thick for the year. I like the impression of energy and spine here. With aeration, this still-young wine showed a strong blueberry fruitiness. Here's another estate (along with Domaine de la Mordoree) whose use of oak has evolved since 1998, but this wine nonetheless impressed in the group of '98s." 5/09

94 Points, Jim Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "Dark and surprisingly brawny, with bacon fat, prune, cocoa and toast notes leading the way. Hints of cedar and beef chime in on the slightly chewy finish, which shows a roasted edge. Has impressive power, but the note of torrefaction is atypical for the vintage.--1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape retrospective. Drink now through 2020. 1,000 cases made." 11/07

96 Points, John Kapon, Vintage Tastings: "(Janasse V.V) served out of magnum, which was the equivalent of a sledgehammer when a seven year-old, 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape is in it. The nose was heavenly and full of sexy, red fruits: strawberry, raspberry, red currant and red berry, along with tannins, alcohol, spice and leather. It was especially intense out of magnum, I.m sure. The earth and game were intertwined and buried amongst each other, and the palate was great . spicy, hot and long yet smooth, with red fruits and supplemental earth and leather to the rich fruit." 02/05