Ron R

9.4

An experiment. So consistently strong, and clearly has longevity. No rush to consume these…
So decadent, going close to the explosive line, but doesn’t cross it. Blueberries and rich black fruits mesh with sandalwood and brown sugar. Weighty on the mid palate with relaxed acidity. This is epic. Still in its prime so consume now. — a month ago

with Anne-marie

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

100% Cabernet blended with juice from six different vineyard sites. Intense purple color. Savory aromas of herbs, rose petals and cocoa mesh well with the extremely dark fruit notes. Big black fruit flavors are supported by spices and vanilla. Touch of menthol on the finish. The tannins is balanced by just enough acidity. Nice! — 2 years ago

Brian Hearty

9.2

2007. Someone brought this to our friend’s wine party, but they did not open it, and when I tried opening it for the host, the cork crumbled. They found a pitcher and a wire mesh strainer to decant into... the wine was reddish-purple and full of life. — 3 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.0

Black cherry here and the characteristic raisin-y note. While floral was evident, the range of flavors was less than I expected. Still always nice when we're able to get in an Amarone. As for food, we paired this with a fairly powerfully-flavored zucchini, tomato, and sausage dish which seemed to mesh just fine. This wine isn't over-the-top powerful, but finding the right meaty accompaniment is key. — 4 years ago

with Anita

Brent Young

9.3

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 year ago

Carter White

9.2

Heavy red fruit and vanilla. The oak and fruit mesh seamlessly. Nice tannin and acid structure, everything perfectly in balance. Maybe lacking complexity but super enjoyable. — 3 years ago

Brian Hearty

9.7

2007. Cork looked great but crumbled with any of tools I had available. Ended up pouring through a hole in the cork, a fine mesh yogurt strainer, then into a decanter. Partly cloudy, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the cork issues or not. Restrained nose when first decanted, but the first drink was amazing mixed berry compote...and it just kept getting better. Paired with crispy roast chicken and a bacon-mushroom rice pilaf. In the handful of top wine experiences I’ve had...can’t wait to try the 2008 in the cellar! — 3 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.3

Great clarity from refined oak and a touch of vanilla and mesh well with the citrus. — 2 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.4

Had to do some hard detective work to pair this bottle to the label in the cellar.

The wine is pure seduction. Heady floral and honey notes, a commandingly deep tartness. Lots of phenolic spice, dry extract, and an incisive depth. Of the full and powerful style rather than ethereal. This is drinking well now, feinherb like, but I think if the RS and acids had another ten years to mesh it would be something else. — 2 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.0

For me, this is raspberries and cranberries held together with a fine mesh of graphite. Some earthiness too. Quite a light body here. I think of this as a lunchtime wine and one that would be appreciated alongside a special meal with friends. — 3 years ago

with Anita