With the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 1998, Domaine de la Janasse presents one of the estate’s signature cuvées and a masterclass in blending distinct terroirs. The old vines are rooted across several parcels, including galets roulés in the south for power and richness, red clay soils in the north for structure, and sandy-calcareous slopes for finesse, complemented by a sector near Chaupin that injects freshness and acidity into the final assemblage.  

The 1998 vintage displays remarkable concentration and maturity. Black cherry, ripe raspberry, and dark berries dominate the bouquet, accompanied by garrigue, licorice, smoke, and warm spices. Through extended bottle age, notes of earth, leather, dried herbs, and balsamic nuances have emerged, while the fruit core retains impressive depth. Contemporary tastings already hailed the wine as extraordinarily powerful yet elegant and multi-layered.  

On the palate, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 1998 reveals a dense, noble texture with abundant extract and concentrated fruit. Ripe Grenache shapes its supple, warm generosity, while Syrah and Mourvèdre contribute added spice and structural grip. Still-lively acidity keeps the wine balanced despite its power, and after nearly three decades the tannins have resolved into an increasingly silky grain. Licorice, garrigue, dark berries, and mineral undertones lead into a long, warm, and exceptionally persistent finish.

Today, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 1998 has reached a captivating stage of maturity in which its youthful power is increasingly enriched by tertiary complexity. The thoughtful marriage of diverse soil types explains its seamless equilibrium between richness, freshness, structure, and finesse. In well-cellared bottles, the wine still holds the substance for further evolution while already offering the multi-layered splendor of a great, mature Châteauneuf-du-Pape.