Notes from December 2022 still apply. Pale to mid lemon in colour. Aromas of apple pie this time around. A medium to full bodied white - a note of rockmelon (cantaloupe) a good white for winter - Medium minus acid with good length. Drinking at its peak. — 19 days ago
11 Days of “Slow Decanting” this classically styled Chateauneuf du Pape
Le Vieux Donion is one of the more traditional estates in CdP. They make a single wine each vintage from their 14 hectares of organically farmed fruit. Grenache is the major grape with Syrah and Mourvedre in blending roles
DAY 1
Served with the Vinloq System
👃Perfumed, ripe blackberry and plums with deep earthy notes of soil mixed with dusty cellar and a potato note. Oak signatures like vanilla and cedar mesh well with this classic styled Southern Rhone. Pretty stunning right away
👅Plummy dark fruit, kirsch, licorice, and game.
Juicy. Oak influences and a touch of prune. A little warmth from the 14% alcohol lead into an extended finish. Good acidity. More refined than rustic
The remaining wine was "Slow Decanted" in my refrigerator
DAY 11
👃This is sweet with ripe, dark fruit and kirsch.
Yes, that cut potato note is there again but it does not detract. There is a bit of spice and dustiness
👅Full bodied and earthy with dark fruit. Silky texture. The tannins have mostly resolved with a little grip on the finish. Based on this bottle, this wine still has time. It is drinking very well but it shows no signs of a downturn anytime soon
I seem to generally prefer CdP wines shortly after pouring rather than letting them breathe in the glass(or decanter). That was true with this Donjon on both occasions. However, Slow Decanting the wine for 11 days did not change my enjoyment of the wine vs Day 1 🍷🍷 — a month ago
Yellow green centre and watery outer. Oaky scent - vanilla, burnt marshmallow. Good creamy mouth feel, medium body. Acid hits the middle of the tongue. Light tannins, low to medium complexity. Taste of vanilla, mandarin with a nice and long citrus/acidic finish. Very enjoyable. — 4 days ago
Gorgeous, traditional and generous.
Not too sweet, not too rustic; right in the middle 🎯
Soft notes of plums, black cherries, beefstew, garrigue, brown spices and a whiff of hearty umami nuances like porcini, sundried tomatoes and vegemite/soysauce.
Well balanced, medium bodied and full of detail and finesse. Great stuff. — 16 days ago
Medium ruby color.
Aromas of red fruit, raspberry.
Dry. Flavors of blackberry, raspberry, soft oak spice
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 3/5 — 9 days ago
Delicious, cherry, spicy, full bodied
Gift from Lloyd’s — 2 months ago
Big Wave Dave
Very shy nose. Whiff of peach and banana. Full and generous palate. Nectarine and beeswax. Smooth and supple but the structure and acid poke their head out with air. VG with Gambas/paprika/garlic. With R on my bday weekend. — 12 days ago