Le Vieux Donjon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Soft rustic 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape. black pepper, earthy, bright but no bite. Excellent
Soft rustic 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape. black pepper, earthy, bright but no bite. Excellent
Jul 4th, 2013
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 🍷🍷
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 🍷🍷
Still many years to go on this one.
Still many years to go on this one.
Dec 17th, 2018
2005. Nice aged CDP but a little soft.
2005. Nice aged CDP but a little soft.
Oct 28th, 2018
Pardon me while I continue my summer CdP binge. It’s like Christmas in ... August. I’m having this a night after an ‘07 Beaucastel, and for me, this takes the cake. Great funk in the nose, high toned complexity especially on the front to mid-palette, incredibly long finish. For me, this is perfect CdP.
Pardon me while I continue my summer CdP binge. It’s like Christmas in ... August. I’m having this a night after an ‘07 Beaucastel, and for me, this takes the cake. Great funk in the nose, high toned complexity especially on the front to mid-palette, incredibly long finish. For me, this is perfect CdP.
Aug 11th, 2018
In a great place. The Syrah adds white pepper notes. Plenty of life left, but no reason to wait. Classic old school Chateauneuf and perfect with lamb on Easter.
In a great place. The Syrah adds white pepper notes. Plenty of life left, but no reason to wait. Classic old school Chateauneuf and perfect with lamb on Easter.
Apr 1st, 2018
A sample of aged CNP from Dustin. Great stuff not enough time to take notes but i wanted to buy this even at 125$. Alas 😤 it was the last bottle at the store @ the Meritage in Encinitas.
A sample of aged CNP from Dustin. Great stuff not enough time to take notes but i wanted to buy this even at 125$. Alas 😤 it was the last bottle at the store @ the Meritage in Encinitas.
Aug 26th, 2017
2005 - perfectly balanced, great wine. Cherry, Elderberry, black berries.
2005 - perfectly balanced, great wine. Cherry, Elderberry, black berries.
Mar 7th, 2015
2005. 375mL. Developing with lovely leather and cedarbox on top of tart raspberry liqueur.
2005. 375mL. Developing with lovely leather and cedarbox on top of tart raspberry liqueur.
Feb 5th, 2015