The 2007 Vin de Pays Terre de Bussiere (6,500 cases produced) is blend of 50-60% Merlot and the rest Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache. A great value, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to loads of fat, juicy red and black fruits, licorice, chocolate, and spice, and a fleshy, succulent style. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Always one of my favorite stops on my Rhone Valley trips, Domaine de la Janasse is run with incredible passion by Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and his father, who showed up nearly half naked as he was bringing in some white grapes on the torridly hot day I visited. What this family operation has achieved over the last decade is nothing short of remarkable considering the breadth of wines made, from their Vin de Pays, which are among the finest made in France, to their world-class Cotes du Rhones and Chateauneuf du Papes. While this estate is at the top of its game, it is not content to rest on the status quo and continues to push the envelope. Their 2008s are among the finest wines of the vintage, and as the following tasting notes and scores indicate, their 2007s are out of this world. The 2008 reds are surprisingly strong across the board at Domaine de la Janasse. There is no Cotes du Rhone Les Garrigues or Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin in this vintage, but the other cuvees are all noteworthy. 2007 is the greatest vintage I have ever tasted of Domaine de la Janasse – and that’s says something given the amazing wines produced here in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2006.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

The red wines begin with Sabon’s delicious, surprisingly exuberant, medium to full-bodied 2007 Vin de Pays d’Orange, which is primarily Syrah with smaller quantities of Cinsault, Grenache, and a few other varietals. Its exhibits a deep ruby color, loads of fruit, little complexity, but a terrific texture and headiness. Young Christophe Sabon, with his sister by his side and his father in the background, is doing as great a job turning out terrific wines as any vigneron in the world. With nearly 200 acres of vineyards, 45 of them old vines situated in Chateauneuf du Pape, there is enormous potential, all of it being exploited. The 1998s, 1999s, 2000s, and 2001s were all fabulous at this estate, the 2003s were slightly irregular as well as tannic, the 2005s were great, the 2006s are fabulous, and the 2007s may be the sine qua non of all his vintages. The white wines are not to be missed as they are some of the freshest, most perfumed, lively whites of Southern France. The value picks represent remarkable bargains. The bottled 2006 low end wines are all in the marketplace. While they are not quite at the level of the 2007s, there are some gorgeous choices for consumers. Janasse’s 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes are outrageous, all of which performed brilliantly despite having just completed their malolactics after 11 months of fermentation. With all of the excitement over the 2007s, readers should not forget just how great Janasse’s 2006s have turned out. They are performing as well as they did last year, perhaps even better.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Selections, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565