Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021

93 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. Expressive on the nose, with good ripeness to the damson and juniper fruit. It has plenty of presence and grip, and quite precise acidity which helps to lengthen the palate. Savoury, well balanced. Partially destemmed, fermented in concrete, aged mostly in foudres and some old barriques. Alcohol 15.0%. Drinking Window: 2023-2030. (Sep 2022)"

92 points Nicolas Greinacher (Vinous): "The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a Grenache-led blend with small amounts of Syrah and Mourvèdre. While the Grenache components are aged in concrete, the Syrah and Mourvèdre matured in French oak barrels, of which a minority is new. Combined aromas of predominantly red fruits, dried herbs, licorice and a pinch of menthol. Velvety tannins envelop this medium to full-bodied elegant red, with good persistence on the bright finish. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol, 1% less than both the 2019 and 2020 vintage. Drink: 2025-2038. (Jun 2023)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "[$70 list] Tasty and ripe, with an open profile marked by sappy red cherry, anise and generous floral perfume. Meaty and fleshy on the vanilla-kissed palate, with crushed iron bringing balance, while dried rosemary, charred mesquite and herbal lift emerge. There's a lot to like about this alluring red, which is drinking beautifully now (and will age well, too). Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2032. (12/31/23)"

92 points James Suckling: "An agile and crunchy Chateauneuf-du-Pape with plenty of raspberries, strawberries, flowers, peppercorns and hints of sandalwood. Medium body with sinewy tannins. Fresh and crunchy with lots of succulent fruit character and a racy finish. Drink or hold. (4/19/23)"

91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Including a touch more Syrah and Mourvèdre than usual, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape is another elegant, finesse-driven 2021 with plenty to love. Framboise, wild strawberries, pepper, and Provençal, spicy, garrigue like notes define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a layered, elegant mouthfeel and outstanding length. It's perfect for drinking over the coming 10-12 years. Drink: 2023-2035. (10/30/23)"

90 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The amount of 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape produced was reduced by about one-third, because of frost, but the remaining wine is solid. Stewed cherries and berries are joined by hints of garrigue and fresh fruit, while the medium to full-bodied palate is outlined by firm but silky tannins and bright acidity. It's a bit edgy in feel, closing on notes of clove and allspice. Drink: 2023-2030. (5/16/24)"

***(*) John Livingstone-Learmonth (The Cradle of The Rhône): "(80% Grenache, 10-20% Syrah, 10-13% Mourvèdre, 0-5% Cinsault from 50% sand, 50% clay & galet stone soils on La Gardiole (N-E), La Janasse (N-E), La Font du Loup (N-E), 80% destemmed, 21-28 day vinification, daily manual cap punchings, aged 80% vat or large barrel (Grenache), 20% new-1-2 year oak casks (Syrah, Mourvèdre) 12 months, raised vat 6 months, fined, unfiltered, 10-22,000 b). dark red; the bouquet is calm and collected around black berry fruit, has a sweet herbal tone, a little perfume. The palate is starting to drink openly on the attack, carries soft richness that rolls out steadily, gives a little iron through it, but the finish is pinched for now, a tarry note on the aftertaste that needs time to sort through. From late-2024, decant it. 2042-44 Oct 2022."