Why it matters
The producer
An eighteenth-century Provençale farmhouse stands north of Jonquières among 15 hectares of vines. The Sabon family acquired the estate in 2014, having already owned Domaine de la Janasse. Grenache is the dominant grape, and the cellar uses spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel and concrete tanks.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The estate lies in the commune of Jonquières, at the highest point and on the border of the Plan de Dieu appellation. Plan de Dieu appears as a Côtes-du-Rhône Villages wine, while the Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes from Grenache grown on sand. That sandy ground gives the wine vibrant red fruit and ethereal aromas typical of Grenache in that setting.
Wines to know
The range in view
The red range covers three appellation levels. The Côtes-du-Rhône uses Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. The Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu uses the same three grapes and combines the potential richness associated with Rasteau with the lift associated with Cairanne. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape is produced from Grenache.
The Côtes-du-Rhône has a savoury, highly aromatic nose of spices, garrigue, kirsch, dark berry, black cherry and blackberry. On the palate, fresh, juicy acidity supports smooth, refined, lightly chalky tannins. Red fruit and cassis sit alongside earthy notes of cigar box, incense and forest floor, with a silky finish.