Chateauneuf du Pape XXL Janasse 2016

By European standards Domaine Janasse is a relative newcomer having only been established in 1973 but in a short space of time has come to be recognised as one of the highest quality producers of modern style Châteauneuf-du-Pape. XXL is an extremely rare ultra-cuvée that has only ever been produced in two vintages (2007 and 2016) and is based predominantly on 75% old vine Grenache with the addition of other permitted varieties, aged for 3 years in demi-muids. Despite its hefty alcohol and incredible richness of fruit, this is a supremely harmonious and elegant wine of beguiling complexity, unfurling in the glass with sumptuous notes of black fruits, raspberry, liquified rocks, liquorice and smoked herbs. Epic!