2000 Chateauneuf du Pape

Here was another chance to check out the 2000 CdP, in this case the Pegau Reservee up against the 2000 Janasse Vieilles Vignes. A very interesting contrast in style, with the signature Janasse VV style clearly on display, very dark sweet cherry and underbrush balanced by fine tannins and an almost buried acidity. The 2000 Pegau Reservee showed mostly as expected, with the typical Pegau balance of acidity and spiciness making for a very well balanced drink.

• 2006 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
  Very pale straw yellow, this started out a bit warm, but as the wine cooled down and took on some air, it sharpened up into a 1er Cru quality driink as the citrus and mineral-dominant gained some urgency and breadth and the gradually expanding nose showed white flower and sea brine aromas with time in the glass. My first experience with this particular 1er Cru, this seems to be a touch less rustic than the Fevre Vaillons and better structured than the typical Fevre Montmains, so it is worth following.

• 2000 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  That trademark Pegau spiciness and acid balance is here, with a restrained nose of garrigue and dark fruit, this turned out to be an interesting contrast with the 2000 Janasse Vieille Vignes showing a very different style of CdP (sweet dark cherry). I don't clearly see the raw materials for the Pegau to involve in to a strikingly more complex wine, but it is drinking very nicely now.
• 2000 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Very dark ruby red, this made for a very interesting contrast with the 2000 Pegau. The Janasse VV style was clearly evident here, with a core of sweet viscous dark cherry balanced by very fine grained tannins and a backbone of acidity. This is similar in style to the 2001 Janasse VV, but well on its way to maturity, since the flavors are no longer completely primary. On the nose, the dark kirsch aromas are swept by a woodier element, perhaps some oak that is well integrated, but conveying now something much more like underbrush. The nose was more expressive than the 2000 Pegau, and the kirsch/dark cherry flavors currently more intense, this wine is aging very well. Demonstrates to me how well the Janasse VV can age...