Also superb, and one of my favorite whites, the Sabon’s 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Prestige Blanc is aging beautifully! A blend of 70% Roussanne and 15% each of Grenache Blanc and Clairette, aged all in 1-3 year-old barrels, it’s both richer and more textured than the classic cuvee, with thrilling notes of caramelized peaches, vanilla creme, mineral, hazelnut and brioche all soaring from the glass. Full-bodied, layered and textured, yet with great acidity, it deserves a classy meal. I’d drink bottles over the coming handful of years, yet, it too, will continue to evolve gracefully for at least another decade. A go-to estate in just about any vintage, Domaine de la Janasse produced impressive wines in 2004. Both whites were outstanding (I was blown away by the cuvee Prestige!) and aging gracefully, and all three reds showed uncommon fruit and texture in the vintage.

Even better than the regular bottling is the 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige. Keep in mind 2004 was an exquisite vintage for white wines, and this wine, made from 100% Roussanne, shows fabulous intensity, great definition, and beautiful purity and length. It is a knock-out and one of the three or four best white Chateauneuf du Papes of the appellation.Over the last decade Domaine de la Janasse has become one of the half dozen or so finest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape. However, they also produce an impressive range of Cotes du Rhones. This was also one of the few dozen or so estates that had exceptional success in 2003, a challenging vintage but, for those who did it right, some monumental wines. Proprietor Christophe Sabon compares 2004 with 1999, but with slightly more fruit and power.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565