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95
/ 100
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95
/ 100
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95
/ 100
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93
/ 100
Tasting Notes
Le Vieux Donjon is a family-owned domaine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, now led by Claire Michel, representing the new generation in a house that has long been committed to traditional winemaking. The estate is respected for producing just a single red cuvée each year, a practice that speaks to their focus on quality and authenticity. With roots deeply tied to the region, Le Vieux Donjon exemplifies a classic style of Châteauneuf that balances power with restraint.
The vineyards span approximately 14 hectares, composed of the appellation’s iconic galets roulés—large rounded stones—intermixed with clay and limestone subsoils. These diverse parcels, located across several top lieux-dits, contribute complexity and structure to the final blend. The vines, averaging around 50 years of age, are planted predominantly to Grenache, with smaller portions of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts, followed by maturation in large, old oak foudres for up to 18 months—preserving the integrity of the fruit and the character of the vintage.
The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a generous yet composed expression of the appellation. It opens with aromas of ripe black cherry, kirsch, dried herbs and lavender, underpinned by notes of crushed stone, smoked meat and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and layered, with flavours of blackcurrant, liquorice, and garrigue unfolding over a structured frame of ripe, well-integrated tannins. There is both richness and precision here, with a fresh core and a savoury, persistent finish. A wine of great typicity and depth, it is drinking beautifully now but promises further nuance with cellaring over the next 10 to 15 years.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
Classification: Red
Variety: Grenache Blend
Vintage: 2015
Bottle Size: 750ml (Bottle)
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Alcohol %: 14.5%
Cellaring: 15 Plus Years
Scores
95 / 100""I loved the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape from Claire Michel and it’s a classic blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, mostly from rolled stone terroirs, that was partially destemmed and brought up all in foudre. It’s a downright sexy, voluptuous 2015 offering textbook notes of kirsch liqueur, ground pepper, herbes de Provence, and incense. It picks up more dark fruit with time in the glass, is full-bodied, has plenty of fat and glycerin, and ample tannin, although they’re so polished you have to hunt for them. This gorgeous example of traditionally made Châteauneuf du Pape that’s going to drink beautifully for 15+ years.""
- Jeb Dunnuck
95 / 100
""Rich and dark, with delicious, velvety layers of warm fig, black currant and blackberry confiture flecked with hints of ganache, roasted apple wood and tar. The finish has cut to match the heft. A real brick house.""
- James Molesworth
95 / 100
""Vivid ruby. Sexy, high-pitched red berry preserve, floral pastille and Asian spice aromas show outstanding clarity. Sappy, penetrating black raspberry, spicecake and licorice flavors gain weight with air and pick up suggestions of blood orange and smoky minerals. Shows impressive depth and polish, alluring sweetness and no rough edges. Showcases the best attributes of this warm vintage, finishing with silky, mounting tannins and lingering florality.""
- Josh Raynolds
93 / 100
""These days, Vieux Donjon is one of the few estates in the region making only a single cuvée (Close des Papes is another). The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is a floral, violet-scented wine that's supple and ripe. Only medium to full-bodied, it showcases complex garrigue and licorice notes rather than oodles of red fruit and comes to a long, silky finish.""
- Joe Czerwinski
