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Châteauneuf du Pape: Le Vieux Donjon Rouge 2009

Châteauneuf du Pape: Le Vieux Donjon Rouge 2009

'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).'
94/100. Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate.

Bottle

£31.00
Bottle (case)

£372.00
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Magnum (case)

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About this wine
Press reviews
Product details

Châteauneuf du Pape: Le Vieux Donjon Rouge 2009

Commendably (unlike most of the heralded Châteauneuf’ estates) Le Vieux Donjon do not produce any trophy-hunting ‘special’ cuvées. They make just one red wine that is consistently excellent. It is made from a traditional blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault that is fermented in vat and raised in large oak foudres for 18 months before bottling. The finished wine has attractive wild herb and berry aromas with a complex palate of briary hedgerow fruit supported by an elegant tannic structure. It comes into its own with 2-3 years bottle age but superior vintages will last for 2 decades or more.

What others think of this wine...

Julia Harding - JancisRobinson.com says:
75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsaut. Bright mid crimson. Archetypal southern Rhône complexity and bright fruit that is both savoury, sweet and aromatic. Some meatiness on the palate and particularly on the finish. Firm, paper-fine tannins. Great length and a fine dry finish. More to come. 17. Drink 2013-2025.

Victoria Moore - The Telegraph, 02/11/2012 says:
A nearly perfect châteauneuf-du-pape with a classic shape and flow, and a gentle, soft texture. Although it does taste absolutely delicious right now it would be almost criminal not to put it to one side for a few years and let it develop.

The Wine Gang - www.thewinegang.com says:
Beautifully deep but harmonious Châteauneuf from a good vintage, this is already quite approachable with its soft, generous tannins and deliciously pure fruits of the forest flavours. There are herbs, meat and liqourice, too, in a wine that sings of the warm south, and which will happily keep for many years to come.

Joe Wadsack - 9th June 2012 says:
Creamy, dried raspberry, and tongue-sucking pumice stone perfection.

Wine Spectator - www.winespectator.com says:
Rock-solid, with a big, winey core of cassis, blackberry paste and crushed fig fruit pushed by smoldering tobacco, juniper, mesquite and warm, bittersweet cocoa notes. The muscular finish has lots of grip in reserve. Best from 2013 through 2024. 93/100

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Style: Red Wine, Dry (Sec), Full-bodied
Region: Rhone, Chateauneuf du Pape
Producer: Le Vieux Donjon (Lucien Michel)
Vintage: 2009
Grape variety (Cépage): Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Cinsault
Cellarage: Drink 2011-2026
Vinification: Low yields of ripe grapes are picked by hand from 80-year-old vines. They then undergo an alcoholic fermentation in cement vats for 18-21 days, followed by 2 months in cement tanks for a malolactic fermentation. The wine is left unfiltered and is bottled 18 months after the vendage.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 14%