Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2010

100 points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, which achieved 16% natural alcohol, possesses an inky/purple color. It is slightly tighter and more restrained than the 2010 Chaupin, but it has enormous volume as well as incredible glycerin, richness and fat. A huge bouquet of pure blackberry and black currant fruit intermixed with charcoal, incense, truffles and spring flowers is followed by a prodigious, full-bodied wine that is capable of 20+ years of evolution. I hope Chateauneuf du Pape enthusiasts can find some of this amazing wine! (Oct 2012)"

99 points Jeb Dunnuck (Rhone Report): "More rich and voluptuous, yet with a similar level of purity and precision, the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes offers up loads of creamy blackberry, raspberry liqueur, melted licorice, wild flowers, and toasted spice nuances on the nose. Every bit as good on the palate, with a thrilling texture, full-bodied power, and gorgeous underlying structure and tannin, this knockout Châteauneuf-du-Pape stays light and elegant, with nothing out of place or over the top. As with the Chaupin, it is no doubt a brilliant drink now, yet it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age, and will shine for two decades or more! (Sep 2012)"

98 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Considerably more closed than the 2011. Fresh and fruity, but still needs more time to fully open. Exceptionally fine texture, very fresh still, but still so young. Well balanced, with great purity and balance. Impressive length. This is a great Châteauneuf in the making, but there is much to be gained by waiting. The blend also contains some Clairette Rose, Cinsault and Counoise. Drinking Window: 2029-2055. (2/2/22)"

96 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Opaque purple. Fresh blueberry, cassis, incense, licorice and orange zest on the explosively perfumed nose. Broad and sweet, with potent black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors accompanied by notes of licorice and lavender pastille. Deeper and darker in profile than the Chaupin but just as energetic. Finishes with supple tannins and outstanding persistence, leaving a sappy blueberry note behind. (Jan/Feb 2013)"

18.5/20 points John Livingstone-Learmonth (The World of Fine Wine): "Dark robe, shiny; smoky, raw tobacco, floral, licorice drifts appeal across the nose. Local color has been provided for the drinker in distant lands. The palate fruit rolls along deeply and effortlessly, picking up fullness as it goes. Its tannins fit in comfortably, providing greater charge and smoky impetus near the finish. All ensemble here--a winning completeness to the wine. Covers a lot of territory and does that well. Drink from late 2015--but no hurry: to 2030/32. (Issue 43; 2014)"