Wine Advisor
Le Vieux Donjon, Chateauneuf Du Pape 2016
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Vivid ruby-red. An exotically perfumed, expressive nose evokes ripe cherry and black raspberry, and cola, licorice and floral pastille notes add complexity. Shows impressive depth as well as energy on the palate, offering sweet dark fruit, lavender and spicecake flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. In a suave, graceful style for the vintage, showing outstanding clarity and a sexy floral nuance on the strikingly long finish, which features harmonious tannins and a sneaky mineral quality.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The full-bodied 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is a solid effort. Blueberry, cherry and garrigue notes mark the nose, while the palate is firm but silky, with a fine balance between ripeness and grip. I've seen some internet criticism of this estate for moving to a riper, more modern style, but I don't understand that—unless good cellar hygiene is now considered a problem in certain circles. This is a relatively traditional, balanced example of Châteauneuf, with spicy, savory elements combined with generous fruit. A blend of 75% Grenache, 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah and 5% Cinsault that weighs in at 14.8% alcohol, this foudre-aged wine should drink well for a couple of decades.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
My favorite of the Vieux Donjons on this visit, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is outperforming its early showings. Dark-fruited and earthy, it's at the beginning of what will likely be two decades of drinkability. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, it boasts great texture and ample length, plus some transfixing hints of licorice and fine suede on the finish.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Vivid ruby-red. An exotically perfumed, expressive nose evokes ripe cherry and black raspberry, and cola, licorice and floral pastille notes add complexity. Shows impressive depth as well as energy on the palate, offering sweet dark fruit, lavender and spicecake flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. In a suave, graceful style for the vintage, showing outstanding clarity and a sexy floral nuance on the strikingly long finish, which features harmonious tannins and a sneaky mineral quality.
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.
