Le Vieux Donjon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
The ambitious 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of my all-time favorites from this estate. Crushed violets, licorice, red and black cherry, ripe strawberry and leafy elements are all pushed forward. Full-bodied and savory, the 2020 demands at least four more years in bottle to start showing its full potential. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
The ambitious 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of my all-time favorites from this estate. Crushed violets, licorice, red and black cherry, ripe strawberry and leafy elements are all pushed forward. Full-bodied and savory, the 2020 demands at least four more years in bottle to start showing its full potential. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
Checking in at 14.83% alcohol, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a refined and predominately red-fruited beauty. Licorice and herbaceous components add more dimension. Framed by gentle tannins and more medium- than full-bodied, the 2021 ends with a bright finish. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
Checking in at 14.83% alcohol, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a refined and predominately red-fruited beauty. Licorice and herbaceous components add more dimension. Framed by gentle tannins and more medium- than full-bodied, the 2021 ends with a bright finish. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
Polished fruit & rhubarb against wild herbs. In a really good spot and perfect with prime rib & horseradish
Polished fruit & rhubarb against wild herbs. In a really good spot and perfect with prime rib & horseradish
Dec 26th, 2023
2019, from magnum. Wild fruit, spice, cherry, slate, rhubarb, nice acid. Did the job with prime rib on thanksgiving.
2019, from magnum. Wild fruit, spice, cherry, slate, rhubarb, nice acid. Did the job with prime rib on thanksgiving.
Nov 23rd, 2023Dark violet. Highly fragrant red/blue fruit preserve, potpourri and garrigue aromas and building licorice and exotic spice accents on the nose. Impressively concentrated and penetrating on the palate, offering alluringly sweet cherry, boysenberry, candied lavender and spicecake flavors that tighten up steadily through the back half. Shows plenty of power but comes of lithe and finishes extremely long, smooth and spicy, with polished tannins lending subtle grip. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, October 2021)
Dark violet. Highly fragrant red/blue fruit preserve, potpourri and garrigue aromas and building licorice and exotic spice accents on the nose. Impressively concentrated and penetrating on the palate, offering alluringly sweet cherry, boysenberry, candied lavender and spicecake flavors that tighten up steadily through the back half. Shows plenty of power but comes of lithe and finishes extremely long, smooth and spicy, with polished tannins lending subtle grip. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, October 2021)
A blend of 75% Grenache, 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah and 5% Cinsault. Medium Ruby with aromas of sweet black fruits and earthy pepper spice. On the palate complex flavors of cherry and blackberry, with notes if oak, leather and forest spice. Full body, well balanced with long finish, perfect now but will last another decade. Outstanding.
A blend of 75% Grenache, 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah and 5% Cinsault. Medium Ruby with aromas of sweet black fruits and earthy pepper spice. On the palate complex flavors of cherry and blackberry, with notes if oak, leather and forest spice. Full body, well balanced with long finish, perfect now but will last another decade. Outstanding.
Feb 24th, 2021Le Vieux Donjon was created in 1979 with the marriage of Lucien and Marie José Michel. Both Lucien & Marie José's parents owned vineyards in the region, and those holding were combined to form Le Vieux Donjon. Medium Ruby with aromas of sweet black fruits and pepper spice. On the palate complex flavors of cherry and blackberry, with notes if oak and spice. Full body, well balanced with long finish, perfect now. Outstanding.
Le Vieux Donjon was created in 1979 with the marriage of Lucien and Marie José Michel. Both Lucien & Marie José's parents owned vineyards in the region, and those holding were combined to form Le Vieux Donjon. Medium Ruby with aromas of sweet black fruits and pepper spice. On the palate complex flavors of cherry and blackberry, with notes if oak and spice. Full body, well balanced with long finish, perfect now. Outstanding.
Nov 5th, 2020
Absolutely gorgeous! Deeply concentrated with alluring depth, almost bombastic but still maintains liveliness and pure drinkability. They nailed whole cluster and level of extraction. Beautiful texture, savory and lifted fruit components, almost semi-carbonic in character. Pure and ultra ripe black plum, logan berry, so much garrigue from scrubby herbs to lavender and candied olive, menthol, black peppercorn, vibrant Asian spices, leather, violets, citrus peel.
Absolutely gorgeous! Deeply concentrated with alluring depth, almost bombastic but still maintains liveliness and pure drinkability. They nailed whole cluster and level of extraction. Beautiful texture, savory and lifted fruit components, almost semi-carbonic in character. Pure and ultra ripe black plum, logan berry, so much garrigue from scrubby herbs to lavender and candied olive, menthol, black peppercorn, vibrant Asian spices, leather, violets, citrus peel.
Aug 8th, 2020
Always one of the most raw and animal-like CDP’s out there. Complete opposite to Beuacastel et al. Would be divine with wild game. Baked red fruit dominate.
Always one of the most raw and animal-like CDP’s out there. Complete opposite to Beuacastel et al. Would be divine with wild game. Baked red fruit dominate.
Dec 23rd, 2019Fully developed - animal and leather and spice. Loaded with Brett. True to form when compared to 2011.
Fully developed - animal and leather and spice. Loaded with Brett. True to form when compared to 2011.
Dec 23rd, 2019