2017 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Pre-Arrival)

SKU #1398261 95 points Jeb Dunnuck

...Deep, rich, yet fabulously pure notes of blackcurrants, ground pepper, garrigue, and crushed flowers all emerge from the glass, followed by medium to full body, a stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. It's still backward and holding things a little close to its vest, yet it's a magical wine in the making. Give bottles 3-5 years of cellaring (although it's far from unapproachable today) and enjoy over the following two decades. It's as classic as it gets. The 2017 is a classic blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre, and the balance Cinsault, brought up all in foudre. 95+ (8/2019)

95 points Wine Advocate

One of the few estates where the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape actually eclipses the 2016, this is a top-flight effort. Black cherries and red raspberries combine with dried spices in a complex swirl of fruity and savory elements, garnished with sprigs of garrigue. Full-bodied, round and rich, this velvety wine should drink well through at least 2035. (JC) (8/2019)

94 points Decanter

In a bit of a strange place right now the nose is neither young nor developed, there's berry fruit, but it's slightly earthy. Full-bodied but not massive, there's a little touch of raisin to the rich plum fruit. Though very ripe, there's plenty of vibrancy and acidity on the palate that creates a real textural impression. Long finish, with leaf tea and rolling tobacco. Will always be a big gruff style, but will take on real complexity over time. Try to hold until 2024. Drinking Window 2024 - 2035. (PT) (9/2021)

94 points Vinous

Limpid ruby-red. A highly perfumed, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, garrigue and exotic spices, and a smoky mineral note emerges as the wine opens up. Sweet and broad on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, cherry compote, spicecake and candied lavender flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. Conveys both power and finesse and betrays no rough edges. Fine-grained tannins come in late on a very long, spicy finish that leaves suave floral and red fruit preserve notes behind. (JR) (12/2019)

93 points Wine Spectator

Solidly built, with a core of warm plum and black cherry preserve flavors, enhanced by lavender, anise and black tea notes that flash throughout. Stays fresh and focused through the finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2020 through 2035. (2/2020)

K&L Notes

John Livingstone Learmonth The Cradle of the Rhone: "bottled three weeks ago: dark plum red colour. Black cherry, a vibrant abundance on the nose, laurel, cooked plums, raspberry liqueur, a hint of acetate. The palate is closely knit, with the strength of liqueur fruit, hints of power, is very vintage 2017 in that respect. The tannins are a bit demanding, dry toned. Allow this three years to fuse, integrate. It has weight and assertion, is chunky. “The normal blend is 75% Gren, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, but this, because of the coulure, is 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre, 2% Cinsault,” Claire Michel. From 2022, time will help. 15°. 90% destemmed. This is the 50th year of bottling their wine. 2038-40 May 2019."