![Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2020 (Southern Rhone, France) - [JS 95] [JD 95] [WA 94] [WS 94]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/original_30105a30-71b1-4e54-a63d-566cc90dc44e_{width}x.png?v=1658782902)
Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2020
(Southern Rhone, France) - [JS 95] [JD 95] [WA 94] [WS 94]
Regular price $88.00 Sale price $69.97 Save $18.03
12-PACK PRICE = $67.97 per item (add 12+ quantity to your basket)
About this Wine:
The domain Vieux Donjon was founded by the father of Lucien Michel, Marcel Michel, who did the first bottling at his domain in 1966. Beginning in 1979 Marie José and Lucien Michel began to run the property. The next generation Claire Michel joined in 2008 and her brother Francois joined in 2013 - all wines are now made by them. The domain covers 14 ha of Chateauneuf du Pape, one of them with white varieties. The vinification process is in the best sense of the word traditional. Only one cuvée of red and of white Chateauneuf du Pape is made. The cuvee rouge consists of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. Aged for 6 months in cement tank and then about 12 months in foudres. If there is a picture to epitomize Chateauneuf du Pape, it is of huge, gnarled vines rising from a mound of large smooth stones. And if one estate epitomizes these vieux ceps and cailloux, then surely it is the small domain of Lucien and Marie-José Michel. Their oldest vines exceed eighty years and are so lodged in heavy stones that it takes a special tractor to work the “soil”. Those old vines, together with late harvesting, make for quite low yields and that makes for wonderfully concentrated vinous raw material which the Michels guide through a very traditional Chateauneuf cellar upbringing. The mix of grapes, too, is quite traditional, leaning overwhelmingly on Grenache. However, Michels harvest their grapes parcel by parcel, according to strict standards of ripeness (tasting!), rather than by grape variety. Vines of three sorts are mixed together.
Seldom blockbuster wines in their youth, but always well-defined and shapely so that they may be enjoyed right away, Vieux Donjon Chateauneufs nevertheless age slowly and magnificently. Yet, the estate is so small and modest that, when they assembled a vertical collection for Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar in Spring of 1995, there were numerous holes. Apparently, not only do the Michels not keep any prisoners in the dungeon (“Donjon” - which was apparently just Lucien’s take on what remains of the Popes’ new summer castle seen on the label) but they don’t keep many bottles of their own wine in their cellar!
Ratings & Reviews
95 Points - James Suckling:
"Excellent depth of black fruits, but the Mediterranean herb aromas dominate the fruit. Then the concentrated and very structured palate sweeps you away in a gentle and sensual way. Wonderful interplay of ripeness and expertly crafted fine tannins through the long, elegant finish. A cuvee 75% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% cinsault that were co-fermented, then matured in foudre. Drink or hold. (Apr 2023)
95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is another winner from this team, and readers can’t go wrong here. Based on 75% Grenache, 10% each of Syrah and Mourvedre, with the balance Cinsault, it was partially destemmed and brought up all in foudre. This beauty just about jumps out of the glass with its Provençal aromatics of ripe cherries, ground pepper, saddle leather, garrigue, and spice. These carry to a medium to full-bodied wine that has the vintage’s charming, pure character front and center, yet still brings good mid-palate density and ripe tannins. Buy a case, count yourself lucky, and enjoy bottles any time over the coming 10-15 years." (Nov 2022)
94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Vieux Donjon's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is a balanced, harmonious effort that offers up pretty aromas of strawberries, raspberries and cherries, accented by hints of crushed stone and dusty earth. It's full-bodied and supple, with a long, silky-textured finish. Richer and riper than the 2021, it shows great harmony and texture. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes." - JC (Sep 2023)
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Enticing and pretty, this boasts a pure beam of raspberry, rooibos tea and singed garrigue, with notes of baking spices and dried lavender. A pretty yet substantial wine, with chalky tannins lining the finish. Vibrant and fresh, with good drive. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2032. 7,000 cases made, 1,200 cases imported." - KB (web only 2022)
The domain Vieux Donjon was founded by the father of Lucien Michel, Marcel Michel, who did the first bottling at his domain in 1966. Beginning in 1979 Marie José and Lucien Michel began to run the property. The next generation Claire Michel joined in 2008 and her brother Francois joined in 2013 - all wines are now made by them. The domain covers 14 ha of Chateauneuf du Pape, one of them with white varieties. The vinification process is in the best sense of the word traditional. Only one cuvée of red and of white Chateauneuf du Pape is made. The cuvee rouge consists of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. Aged for 6 months in cement tank and then about 12 months in foudres. If there is a picture to epitomize Chateauneuf du Pape, it is of huge, gnarled vines rising from a mound of large smooth stones. And if one estate epitomizes these vieux ceps and cailloux, then surely it is the small domain of Lucien and Marie-José Michel. Their oldest vines exceed eighty years and are so lodged in heavy stones that it takes a special tractor to work the “soil”. Those old vines, together with late harvesting, make for quite low yields and that makes for wonderfully concentrated vinous raw material which the Michels guide through a very traditional Chateauneuf cellar upbringing. The mix of grapes, too, is quite traditional, leaning overwhelmingly on Grenache. However, Michels harvest their grapes parcel by parcel, according to strict standards of ripeness (tasting!), rather than by grape variety. Vines of three sorts are mixed together.
Seldom blockbuster wines in their youth, but always well-defined and shapely so that they may be enjoyed right away, Vieux Donjon Chateauneufs nevertheless age slowly and magnificently. Yet, the estate is so small and modest that, when they assembled a vertical collection for Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar in Spring of 1995, there were numerous holes. Apparently, not only do the Michels not keep any prisoners in the dungeon (“Donjon” - which was apparently just Lucien’s take on what remains of the Popes’ new summer castle seen on the label) but they don’t keep many bottles of their own wine in their cellar!
Ratings & Reviews
95 Points - James Suckling:"Excellent depth of black fruits, but the Mediterranean herb aromas dominate the fruit. Then the concentrated and very structured palate sweeps you away in a gentle and sensual way. Wonderful interplay of ripeness and expertly crafted fine tannins through the long, elegant finish. A cuvee 75% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% cinsault that were co-fermented, then matured in foudre. Drink or hold. (Apr 2023)
95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is another winner from this team, and readers can’t go wrong here. Based on 75% Grenache, 10% each of Syrah and Mourvedre, with the balance Cinsault, it was partially destemmed and brought up all in foudre. This beauty just about jumps out of the glass with its Provençal aromatics of ripe cherries, ground pepper, saddle leather, garrigue, and spice. These carry to a medium to full-bodied wine that has the vintage’s charming, pure character front and center, yet still brings good mid-palate density and ripe tannins. Buy a case, count yourself lucky, and enjoy bottles any time over the coming 10-15 years." (Nov 2022)
94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Vieux Donjon's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is a balanced, harmonious effort that offers up pretty aromas of strawberries, raspberries and cherries, accented by hints of crushed stone and dusty earth. It's full-bodied and supple, with a long, silky-textured finish. Richer and riper than the 2021, it shows great harmony and texture. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes." - JC (Sep 2023)
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Enticing and pretty, this boasts a pure beam of raspberry, rooibos tea and singed garrigue, with notes of baking spices and dried lavender. A pretty yet substantial wine, with chalky tannins lining the finish. Vibrant and fresh, with good drive. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2032. 7,000 cases made, 1,200 cases imported." - KB (web only 2022)