- BrandLe Vieux Donjon
- CountryFrance
- RegionRhone
- TypeRed Wine
- Size750ml
- SKU 210000000479
Highlights
Professional Ratings
Wine Spectator
“An excellent example of classic Chateauneuf richness that shows good balance and energy. Juicy black raspberry, licorice and ganache are wrapped around a ballast of graphite shavings, while the refined structure reins in the warm, mouthcoating palate. Hints of grilled herbs, brown bread and lavender smoke detail the long, textured and mineral-rich finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. Best from 2026 through 2038. 5,000 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.”
Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2022
Le Vieux Donjon is a French wine producer located in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The modern estate was established by Marcel Michel in 1966, a young estate by European standards but around a third of the ancient vines are more than 100 years old.
Unlike many Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers, Le Vieux Donjon does not make a separate bottling from its old-vine grapes. Rather, the estate produces a single white cuvée and one red Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend from classic Rhône varieties.
Critical Acclaim
95 Wine Spectator
An excellent example of classic Châteauneuf richness that shows good balance and energy. Juicy black raspberry, licorice and ganache are wrapped around a ballast of graphite shavings, while the refined structure reins in the warm, mouthcoating palate. Hints of grilled herbs, brown bread and lavender smoke detail the long, textured and mineral-rich finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2026 through 2038.
95 Jeb Dunnuck
As to the red from this great estate, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape checks in as a classic blend of 75% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault that raised in concrete and foudre. It shows the perfumed, ripe, yet also elegant style of the vintage and has beautiful red and black fruit, some classic Provençal, spicy, garrigue nuances, medium to full body, a great mid-palate, and ripe tannins. It's going to a forward, approachable Vieux Donjon that will also evolve for 10-15 years if well stored. As I’ve written many times, Le Vieux Donjon is a reference point estate for classically made Châteauneuf du Pape. Their Châteauneuf du Pape comes from a mix of terroirs and is always a majority Grenache with smaller amounts of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, partially destemmed, with the élevage in a mix of concrete tanks and large foudre.
94 James Suckling
A well-crafted, balanced and refined red. This has notes of sweet cherries, dried herbs, red berries and mild spices. Medium- to full-bodied with fine yet firm tannins. Juicier at the center with a solid frame of tannins coating the palate at this stage. Bright fruit with plenty of vitality in the long, peppery finish.
93 Vinous
As is custom at this address, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape spent one year in old oak foudres. Neatly blending 75% Grenache with 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault, it unwinds with notes of violet, forest strawberry, licorice, black cherry and graphite. Open-knit and inviting, the 2022 is gently framed by ripe tannins that won’t need as much time to mellow as in 2020 or 2019. Finishing on a savory note, this expressive Châteauneuf smoothly integrates its 15.25% alcohol and comes highly recommended.
