![Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2022 (Southern Rhone, France) - [WA 94] [JS 94] [JD 94] [WS 93]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/files/le-vieux-donjon-chateauneuf-du-pape-blanc_{width}x.jpg?v=1697651651)
Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2022
(Southern Rhone, France) - [WA 94] [JS 94] [JD 94] [WS 93]
Regular price $100.00 Sale price $79.97 Save $20.03
12-PACK PRICE = $75.97 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
94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"A 50-50 blend of Clairette and Roussanne, all made and matured in stainless steel, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a classic example of Vieux Donjon's white. Scents of tangerine, pineapple and white peach are tinged with just a hint of honeyed richness that somehow enhances rather than compromises the overall sense of freshness. It's medium to full-bodied in the mouth, with a silky texture and ample length." - Joe Czerwinski (Sep 2023)
94 Points - James Suckling:
"The attractive nose of apricot and orange blossom pulls you into this ripe and substantial, yet lively and delicate, white Chateauneuf. I love the mouthfeel of this graceful wine and the way the fine tannins support the long finish. A cuvee of 50% clairette and 50% roussanne, which were co-fermented and matured in tank and bottled in February after the vintage to retain freshness. Drink or hold." (Apr 2023)
94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Lots of white flowers, melon, and spicy nuances emerge from the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc, a blend of equal parts Clairette and Roussanne brought up all in stainless steel. It's medium to full-bodied, with remarkable purity and freshness, as well as flawless balance. I don't think it's going to make old bones, but it’s perfect for enjoying over the coming 2-4 years. It's a beautiful white that readers will love to have in their cellars." (Oct 2023)
93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Seductive and expressive, with an appealing core of ripe peach and apple flavors that show tropical highlights, buoyed by lemon oil–edged acidity. There's beautiful range to the fruit profile, but also good focus to the lusciousness, showing impressive integration with the gentlest touch of butter. Drink now through 2027. 200 cases made, 50 cases imported." - KB (web only 2023)
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
94 Points - Wine Advocate:"A 50-50 blend of Clairette and Roussanne, all made and matured in stainless steel, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a classic example of Vieux Donjon's white. Scents of tangerine, pineapple and white peach are tinged with just a hint of honeyed richness that somehow enhances rather than compromises the overall sense of freshness. It's medium to full-bodied in the mouth, with a silky texture and ample length." - Joe Czerwinski (Sep 2023)
94 Points - James Suckling:
"The attractive nose of apricot and orange blossom pulls you into this ripe and substantial, yet lively and delicate, white Chateauneuf. I love the mouthfeel of this graceful wine and the way the fine tannins support the long finish. A cuvee of 50% clairette and 50% roussanne, which were co-fermented and matured in tank and bottled in February after the vintage to retain freshness. Drink or hold." (Apr 2023)
94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Lots of white flowers, melon, and spicy nuances emerge from the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc, a blend of equal parts Clairette and Roussanne brought up all in stainless steel. It's medium to full-bodied, with remarkable purity and freshness, as well as flawless balance. I don't think it's going to make old bones, but it’s perfect for enjoying over the coming 2-4 years. It's a beautiful white that readers will love to have in their cellars." (Oct 2023)
93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Seductive and expressive, with an appealing core of ripe peach and apple flavors that show tropical highlights, buoyed by lemon oil–edged acidity. There's beautiful range to the fruit profile, but also good focus to the lusciousness, showing impressive integration with the gentlest touch of butter. Drink now through 2027. 200 cases made, 50 cases imported." - KB (web only 2023)