2007 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Vintage: 2007

Producer/Winery: Le Vieux Donjon

Wine: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Country: France

Region: Southern Rhone

Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Varietal Composition: 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault

Aging: 2 years new French Oak

Climate: Mediterranean

Alcohol: 14.5 %

Winemaker: Lucien Michel

Production: 5,000 Cases

Bottle Value: $65 USD 750ml / $37 USD 375ml

Where: Walla Walla When: June 21, 2010         With whom: Myself

Perspective: This half bottle was a gift from Nicole for putting together a cheese and antipasto platter for a baby shower she was hosting for her friend, “Thank you Nicole!” The first time I tried this was with Peter on New Year’s Eve after tasting through numerous other bottles of wine and champagne so I think, scratch that, I know I was a little too buzzed to capture its true essence.  I remember it being extremely tight with grainy tannins and I knew that it was too young to drink.  Now, almost six months later, it seems to have come around a bit more with fruit expression and aromas.  (Remember this is a half-bottle so it may vary from a normal 750ml)  Lots of grassy dark chocolate and plum on the nose initially, then after some air you start to get those barnyard bretty aromas that I love in CNDP.  On the palate the wine is still very lean and showing mostly new oak characteristics like lead pencil and toasty vanilla.  If you dig deep you can pick up hints of ripe strawberry, black cherry and baked plum.  Great acidity and tannins on this wine will allow it to cellar very well for the next 10-15 years, possibly longer depending on how you like them. Need to compare a 750ml bottle to these notes and see if they differ.

Systematic Approach

Appearance: Clear clarity. Deep ruby core and pale ruby rim, deep purple highlights.  No sediment or deposits.

Nose: Clean. Medium (+) youthful aromas of dark chocolate, lavender, plum, tobacco, barnyard, and sweet new oak spices.

Palate: Dry. Medium (+) acidity. Medium tannins. Medium (+) alcohol.  Medium body.  Medium intense flavors of black cherry, wild strawberry, dark chocolate, oily mineral and plum,   Balance – Dry. Lively acidity, well integrated tannins, warm alcohol and well defined fruit. Texture – clay textured tannins and fluid viscosity.  Overall Impression – Stemmy/refreshing ripeness, well defined freshness with great structure. Medium (+) length.

Conclusion: Good quality for concentration, balance and texture. Drink now and over the next 10-15 years.

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