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: 2004 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2004 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

SKU #1023324 94 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Tight on the nose, but with a great beam of red and black fruits, as well as hoisin sauce, olive, cocoa, tar and raspberry ganache. Long, lush finish pumps out darker and darker fruit. Has the racy profile of the vintage, but its range sets it apart. Best from 2007 through 2026. *Highly Recommended. Ranked #31 on the Top 100 of 2006* (JM) Inner quote mark (11/2006)

92 points Vinous

Outer quote mark Dark red. Intense strawberry and raspberry aromas, with complicating suggestions of tapenade and smoked meat. Full and deep, with lush bitter cherry and blackcurrant flavors complicated by a hint of game. Finishes on a sweet cherry note, with suave tannins and very good length. (JR) Inner quote mark (1/2007)

91 points Wine & Spirits

Outer quote mark A staunchly traditionalist estate, Le Vieux Donjon makes wines that require plenty of time to show their best. The 2004 has alluringly ripe flavors of raspberry and black cherry fruit, backed by a pronounced gamey undertone not unlike that of a good French andouillette. It feels energetic and sleek, but very wound-up: keep it in the cellar for another five to ten years. Inner quote mark (2/2007)

90 points Jeb Dunnuck

Outer quote mark Drank over two day and while not at the level of the previous bottle, the 2004 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape is still outstanding with plenty of kirsch, herbs de provence, licorice, underbrush and potpourri aromas on the nose. Medium bodied with pure fruit, this is certainly lacking some concentration but comes through with beautiful balance, a smooth texture and a medium length finish with silky tannins. Inner quote mark (12/2007)

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape is similar in style to their 1999 but with more power. A cedary, sweet bouquet of herbes de Provence, roasted meats, kirsch liqueur, resiny notes, and perhaps incense as well, jumps from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, fragrant, savory style of wine. Its tannins are present and persistent but sweet and well-integrated. The wine reveals outstanding concentration, purity, and plenty of Provencal typicity. It should drink well for 10-15 years. (RP) Inner quote mark (2/2007)

Jancis Robinson

Outer quote mark Finely perfumed with a whiff of savoury meatiness and undergrowth. Rather delicate, aromatic mid palate. Elegant and true to its origins. Drink 2008-2019 17/20 (JH) Inner quote mark (3/2009)

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2004 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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Varietal:

Grenache

- Fat, ripe and rich with ample fruit and vibrant acidity, wines made from Grenache are easy to love. While its origins are still under dispute - some suggest Spain, where it is called Garnacha, while others say it came first from Sardinia, where it is called Cannonau - it is inarguably one of the most planted varietals in the world. A hearty grape, Grenache does well in hot, dry regions and its sturdy stalk also makes it well-suited to withstand blustery conditions like the Provençal Mistral. It ripens at relatively high sugar levels, which translates to higher potential alcohol in the wines it produces. Grenache may be most famous in the Southern Rhône areas such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas where it has long been an important component of delicious blends. But it's also the source of the crisp rosés from Tavel, Lirac and Provence, and age-worthy vins doux naturels like Rivsaltes and Banyuls. Grenache is also found in large swaths of northeastern Spain, in Navarre, in Rioja, where it plays a supporting role in blends with Tempranillo, and in the distinctive wines of Priorat. The grape was once the most widely planted varietal in Australia, though Shiraz and Cabernet have overtaken it. In California, Grenache plantings have dwindled from their heyday in the San Joaquin Valley, but it is starting to see a resurgence, albeit in smaller plantings, where other Rhône varietals thrive.

Country:

France

- When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them.

Sub-Region:

Rhone

- Legendary wine-producing region in southeast France. Stereotypically speaking, Rhone wines are high in alcohol, and the majority produced is red. The northern Rhone is best known for outstanding 100% Syrah wines from areas such as Cote Rotie and Hermitage, as well as for fabulous white wines from Condrieu (where Viognier is king). In the southern Rhone, look for spicy, full-bodied wines that are blends of Grenache, Syrah, and other varietals coming from appellations such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, or Rasteau. Wines labeled as Cote du Rhone or Cotes du Rhone Village (a cut above generic Cotes du Rhone) are frequently found here in the US because they often represent some of the best values on the market.

Specific Appellation: