Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2018

100 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "This has a distinct crimson garnet colour, faint ochre reflections with a broad and bright rim. On the nose there is red berry jam, a touch of pickled red cherry, floral notes, delicate nougat and candied orange zest. Overall, a very attractive bouquet. On the palate, complex, juicy, sweet extract with ripe, silky tannins and subtle notes of chocolate. It seems to really evolve on the palate in a mouth-filling way leading to a powerful finish lasting for minutes. Quite simply, world class. (4/23/21)"

97 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The magnificent 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes continues the string of successes under this label. While a bit less expressive on the nose than the other cuvées, it's impossibly voluminous on the palate. Full-bodied and expansive in the mouth, it's also rich and velvety, with ample tannic structure to support its almost overwhelming generosity. A whirl of mixed raspberries and blackberries join with salted licorice and dark chocolate, culminating in a long finish that combines more-ish salinity with the dusty essence of crushed stone. Drink: 2021-2030. (10/30/20)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "[$118 list] This offers up a lushly textured set of crushed plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors scored with licorice snap throughout and laced with black tea on the finish. A subtle mineral edge peeks through the wall of fruit on the finish. For the cellar. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2023 through 2038. 504 cases imported. (12/31/20)"

95 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Dark violet. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red/blue fruits, incense and exotic spices, and a floral accent builds as the wine opens up. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering lush black raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that are energized by a core of juicy acidity. Shows excellent clarity and solid, spicy thrust on a long, sweet finish framed by velvety tannins. Drink: 2024-2034. (Oct 2021)"

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Showing nicely, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Vieilles Vignes shows the softer, elegant style of the vintage yet still has ample depth of fruit as well as a classic profile. Notes of red and black fruits, peppery herbs, nori, licorice, and scorched earth all give way to a full-bodied, beautifully balanced 2018. It’s already hard to resist, with silky tannins and no hard edges, and it stays weightless on the palate. It’s not going to be the longest-lived version of this cuvée, but it’s going to put a smile on your face any time over the coming 10-15 years.While the 2018s from this great estate are gorgeous wines that show the charming, elegant style of the vintage, the 2019s are a clear step up, and my money is on them being some of the wines of the vintage. Drink: 2020-2035. (10/6/20)"