2005 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
SKU #1031006
95 points
Wine Spectator
*#3 on the Top 100 Wines of 2007* Juicy and spicy, with lots of raspberry ganache and blueberry notes offset by hints of mulled spices, black tea and fig cake. Really picks up steam on the finish, with a racy, mouthwatering minerality. Should age beautifully. (JM)
(10/2007)
94 points
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2005 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape shows a dark ruby, almost opaque color as well as a beautiful nose that is fairly perfumed, rich and complex. Black cherry, cracked pepper, licorice and freshly laid asphalt all show up and with air, this picks up roasted herb, spice and subtle charred earth notes. It's the classic Chateauneuf spice aromas with a big dose of tar and black pepper and comes across as traditional, clean and precise. The palate is medium bodied with sweet fruit, plenty of power and a tannic backbone that comes out from under all the fruit with additional air. While this is slightly compact at the moment, I think there's tons of depth to this wine and all kinds of potential and I'm certainly a fan.
(7/2007)
94 points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Deep ruby. Seductively aromatic bouquet of red and dark berries, fresh flowers and minerals, with subtle garrigue and baking spice character. A round, creamy midweight with deep, sweet raspberry and blackcurrant flavors and a finish featuring gently gripping tannins and excellent smoky persistence. More civilized and fruity than the 2006 and 2004 releases from this top producer. (JR)
(1/2008)
93 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Vieux Donjon has produced a classic Châteauneuf du Pape in 2005, and it has the focused, structured feel of the vintage, yet avoids the harsh tannin that’s found in a lot of cuvees. Exhibiting impressive notes of peppered meats, tapenade, sweet spice, iron and garrigue, with a core of sweet Grenache fruit, this beauty is medium to full-bodied, concentrated and textured on the palate, with superb overall balance. It’s enjoyable today, but will continue to evolve nicely for another decade or longer. (JD)
(2/2015)
Jancis Robinson
Mid crimson. Lovely and sweet and round. Tannins fully evolved. Very flattering stuff with some floral notes and a bit of grip on the end. Not too heavy but nuanced. (JR)
(11/2014)
