Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2012 pours a ruby/purple color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of lovely ripe red and black fruits: mixed brambles, Morello cherry, red flowers, licorice, garrigue, a touch of leather, mixed spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and rich. Drink now through 2032. — 13 days ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.4

Outstanding, soulful and rich, this is classic in every sense of the word for a Chateauneuf du Pape. Aged 14 years, this is a lot more primary and less evolved than I would have expected, which makes me love this more for the high quality that shows and it's ability to get even better with more cellar time. Full bodied, a silky and velvety palate feel, with gently intense fruit and spice, long on the finish. A whopper at 15.5% but it wears it well, perfect balance!

Deep ruby red core, ruby edges. Really pretty red hues. The nose is pronounced with black raspberry, black cherry, damson, with garrigue, garden herbs, subtle spices and roasted meat. The palate is med+ to full bodied with velvety tannins, plenty of alcohol, and a very balanced, rich, flavor intensity, and a long finish, easy going with a classic profile. — a month ago

Byron Hewett

9.4

Fantastic. Seamless. Complex. Garrigue with a hint of anise. So good at 17 yo. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner which lasted a couple do hours. The 2015 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe red and dark fruit: black brambles, dark cherries, black pepper, boozy Christmas fruitcake, licorice, garrigue, leather and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with sneaky medium+ tanning that build with air. The acid is there too although I wouldn’t call it the main character. It does, however, play a strong supporting roll. Definitely a wine of texture. It has been a handful of years since my last bottle of the 2015 and it’s evolving very nicely! Secondary flavors are starting to show and everything remains balanced. Extended air did get it to freshen up a bit so I’d say this still has a long life ahead. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2035. — 12 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

Medium-bodied but somehow rich, the 2015 cuvée from Le Vieux Donjon is loaded with sappy red fruit balanced by garrigue, anise, and florals. Easy drinking but not simple, it pleased a wide range of palates at our Christmas dinner. Still seems to have the legs to go a few more years. — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.6

A gorgeous intense nose. Tangy blue fruit, garrigue. Intense and bright and powerful. Delicious. — 3 months ago

with Lindsay

Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured but not something I would recommend. The 2017 Cuvée Réservée benefited from some time in the decanter and the Cuvée Laurence would enjoy the same. However, a decanter we had not; nor was the setting appropriate. And while I wouldn’t have described this as shy upon opening, it certainly went from strength to strength with exposure to air and by the last glass, this was sensational. Beautiful dark bramble fruit, salmiakki, black pepper, red flowers, bacon fat, garrigue, old wood, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long lasting and ever so sexy. As a reminder, no “Cuvee da Capo” was made in 2017 so there’s no wonder why this is special. Drink now through 2042. — a month ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.8

Fabulous CNP. Medium to full bodied, highly perfumed, garrigue, strawberry and raspberry, very smooth and elegant. Predominantly Grenache. — 2 months ago

Jenks

9.4

Drank through a vertical of this, 2012-2015, quite different oldest to youngest. The ‘12 smelled like a dusty old closet, some funk, surprisingly lean wine, good after some air. ‘14 was the best mix of fruit and garrigue. Fun experience. — 3 months ago

Aravind A

9.5

Pop and pour. Notes from 24 hrs open (in the fridge overnight). While this was compelling yesterday, it is glorious today. On the nose: pure lavender, garrigue, soft cola and a touch of sweet incense, wow. On the palate: very good acidity, fantastic density, sweet blackberry, a touch of ash and heat, cola and a surprisingly dark finish, showing a smoldering warmth and very fine tannin. Seems like at least another 3-5 years before peak if this btl is representative. Absolutely gorgeous. — 6 months ago