Vieux Donjon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2021

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Since 1979, Marie-José and Lucien Michel have managed this estate, before handing over to their daughter Claire Michel-Fabre in 2008, joined by her brother François in 2012. While the cellars are located in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this small 17-hectare estate is situated in the northern part of the appellation. In a suave, floral and highly elegant register, Le Vieux Donjon has established itself as one of the spearheads of the refined, elegant style expected of a prestigious appellation like Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Decanter

About the wine:

A smoky, slightly herbaceous, fleshy style. Full-bodied, with good weight and texture. The expression is quite saline, finishing with crisp raspberry acidity and fairly strict tannins.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Châteauneuf du Pape 2021 is a charming, easy-drinking wine. Marked by aromas of cherry and garrigue, it's medium to full-bodied, silky, fine and classic but not great, with just a hint of dark chocolate on the finish.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Domaine du Vieux Donjon wines are among the finest, most elegant and most consistent in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. This production should serve as a model for young winemakers who wish to produce refined, not just imposing, Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. A meticulous and talented winemaker, Lucien Michel has gradually given way to his two children, Claire, who arrived in 2007, and François, an agricultural engineer by training, in 2012. This new generation harmoniously pursues the style that has made the domaine's reputation, with two cuvées of the highest quality. The wines are vinified in concrete vats and aged in large foudres. The whites are made with equal proportions of clairette and roussanne. The reds are only partially destemmed, which doesn't prevent them from being delicate. The domaine owns vines in some of the appellation's finest terroirs (8 hectares at Pied Long, as well as beautiful plots at Cabrières, Rayas, Cristia, purchased in 2013, Pied de Baud, Bois de Boursan, Le Mourre de Gaud...). It should be noted that the estate is expanding by 0.5 hectares in the lower part of Cabrières, on white Clairette and pink Clairette vines.

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

The nose is dominated by oak - pepper and spice with hints of raspberry. Although the oak is predominant on the palate, it is supported by a pleasant concentration and strawberry fruitiness. Good fresh acidity. Closed and introverted, but there's much to expect from this wine in the future.

James Suckling

About the wine:

This generous, well-structured Châteauneuf 2021 displays excellent raspberry and strawberry aromas for this difficult vintage, as well as floral notes. The tannins are surprisingly fine. It's still very young and needs some time in bottle to reach ideal harmony, but the freshness on the finish is already delicious.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Châteauneuf Du Pape 2021 is a solid effort in the vintage. A normal blend of mainly Grenache, 10% Syrah and Mourvèdre and a little Cinsault, it offers a gorgeous perfume of ripe cherries, fresh strawberries, sappy green flowers and peppery garrigue. The palate is medium-bodied, layered and elegant, with fine tannins, fine overall balance and remarkable length. It shows the fresh, pretty and nuanced style of the vintage and is a fine wine to enjoy over the next decade. It's on a par with the 2008.