Wine Advisor
Le Vieux Donjon, Chateauneuf Du Pape 2009
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
Also gorgeous, but in a more forward, perfumed style, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape is loaded with kirsch, wild strawberry, licorice, Asian spice and wild herb-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, sweetly fruited, voluptuous and textured, it’s hard to resist now, but will age gracefully. Another bastillion of traditional Chateauneuf du Pape, Vieux Donjon is owned by Lucien and Marie Jose Michel, with the winemaking now firmly in the hands of their talented daughter, Claire Michel. They produce a single red and white Chateauneuf du Pape, with the red always a rough blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and the balance a mix of other permitted varieties. They started partial destemming in 1993, pulling out the green stems and keeping the more lignified stems. Aging occurs all in concrete tanks and older foudre. This was a fabulous tasting with both Claire and her brother Francois, and as I hope the notes show, the wines have classic Chateauneuf du Pape character and broad drink windows. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
When I tasted this wine the final assemblage had not yet been done by Claire Michel, who has now taken over the reins of this estate from her parents. It should be a blend of 80% or more of Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre. The potential blend I tasted appears to have lots of structure, a muscular style, a deep plum/ruby/purple-tinged color, intense licorice, garrigue, lavender, black currant and black cherry characteristics, medium to full body and elevated tannins in the finish. The cuvee, which has a slightly longer elevage than many of its peers, will benefit from the extra time given its serious structure at present. (Not yet released) Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape is dominated by Grenache with major amounts of Mourvedre, Syrah and other authorized varietals. Its dense ruby/plum color is followed by aromas of smoked meats, roasted Provencal herbs, a gamy character and lots of kirsch, black currant and blue fruits. Rich and full-bodied, it is softer than most young vintages of Vieux Donjon tend to be, and should drink well for 12-15 years. Now that Lucien Michel has inched his way into retirement, his young daughter, Claire, who did an apprenticeship at Napa’s Harlan Estate, is in full control of the winemaking (another example of a woman who has taken charge of a famous estate). Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Bright violet. Deep aromas of cherry, black raspberry, garrigue and earth. Broad, spicy and sweet, with a velvety texture and lush dark berry and lavender pastille flavors. Finishes sappy and sweet, featuring fine-grained tannins and excellent thrust. This alluring wine looks like it will be approachable young.
About the Producer
Le Vieux Donjon is one of the best wineries in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region. In 1979, Lucien Michel and Marie Jose got married and later established the Old Church Winery. Therefore, this is a relatively young winery. Both the couple were born in the winery. Winemaking family. Their marriage combined the two families and their vineyards into a new estate, Old Church Winery. Château Vieux Cathédrale covers 32.1 acres, all on a plateau near Mont Redon and the village of Les Cabriere, whose land is covered with the famous “galets roules” (football-sized rocks). ). There are many old vines planted in the winery, including 25 acres of vines that are over 80 years old. In 1990, the Michel family planted a hectare of clairette, roussanne and grenache blanc and had already begun making fruit wines from the grapes harvested from these trees. Dry white Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine. However, the true glory of this winery is the majestic red wines they produce.