Le Vieux Donjon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2022
98-99/100
RVF
95/100
Jeb Dunnuck
95/100
Decanter
94/100
James Suckling
"From the top of his tower, he stands out with his elegance!"
"From the moment it opens, it gives off an impression of purity and serenity. It is fragrant with fresh red fruit coulis. It lingers with a velvety touch around the mouth, with a backbone at its center that gives it structure. It will grow slowly and wisely. A timeless classic. (RVF magazine no. 685 - November 2024). An opportunity not to be missed!
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Eye
Ruby red, purple
Nose
Aromatic with notes of ground pepper, garrigue, smoked meat, and red and black fruits.
Mouth
Magnificent texture, ripe and silky tannins, very nice finish and good length.
Serve
At 16-18°C
Drink before
2036+
Food and wine pairings
Pairs well with leg of lamb, coq au vin, venison with cranberries, chocolate fondant...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2022 guide) 3 stars (High-quality production, serving as a benchmark in its sector)
About the estate:
From 1979 onwards, Marie-José and Lucien Michel managed this estate before handing it over to their daughter Claire Michel-Fabre in 2008, who was joined by her brother François in 2012. Although the cellars are located in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this small 17-hectare estate is situated further north within the appellation. With its smooth, floral and very elegant style, Vieux Donjon has established itself as one of the spearheads of the refined and elegant style expected of a prestigious appellation such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Decanter
Wine rated (2023 guide) 95/100
About wine:
Pleasantly fresh and fluid style, good acidity, with mouthwatering aromas of raspberry and strawberry. Good sense of lightness and drinkability given the extreme conditions of the vintage. Elegant and fine tannins. Fermented in concrete vats, then aged in concrete and old casks.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2024 guide) 98-99/100
Rated estate (2022 guide) 3 stars (These represent the excellence of French vineyards. The best terroirs cultivated by the greatest winemakers. Tasting their wine is always a magical moment.)
About wine:
From the moment it is opened, it exudes an impression of purity and serenity. It is fragrant with fresh red fruit coulis. It lingers with a velvety touch around the mouth, with a backbone at its center that gives it structure. It will grow slowly and wisely. A timeless classic.
About the estate:
The wines of the Domaine du Vieux Donjon 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 Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, rather than simply imposing ones. A meticulous and talented winemaker, Lucien Michel gradually handed over the reins to his two children, Claire, who arrived in 2007, and François, a trained agricultural engineer, in 2012. This new generation is harmoniously continuing the style that has made the estate's reputation, with two very high-quality cuvées. The wines are vinified in concrete vats and aged in large casks. The white wine is composed of equal parts Clairette and Roussanne. The reds are only partially destemmed, which does not prevent them from being delicate. The estate owns vineyards in some of the appellation's finest terroirs (8 hectares in Pied Long, beautiful plots in Cabrières, Rayas, Cristia, purchased in 2013, Pied de Baud, Bois de Boursan, Le Mourre de Gaud, etc.). It should be noted that the estate is expanding by 0.5 hectares at the bottom of Cabrières, with white Clairette and Clairette Rose vines.
Jancis Robinson
Rated Recommended
James Suckling
Wine rated (2024 guide) 94/100
About wine:
A well-crafted, balanced, and refined red wine. It offers notes of sweet cherries, dried herbs, red fruits, and sweet spices. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, with fine but firm tannins. More juicy on the mid-palate, with a solid tannic structure that coats the palate at this stage. Lively fruitiness and full of vitality in the long peppery finish. Best enjoyed after 2026.
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine rated (2025 guide) 95/100
Rated estate (2020 guide) Recommended
About wine:
The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Vieux Donjon is a classic and beautifully balanced expression of the appellation and this estate. It has a bright purple color, with aromas of ripe red fruit, peppery herbs, flowers, and sandalwood. Medium to full-bodied, it is harmonious and elegant on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. This is a brilliant wine that is already drinking well but will evolve gracefully over the next 15 to 20 years.
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