2005 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape shows a seductive aromatic profile of dried red fruits, cigar box and a splash of kirsch. Super polished and precise on the palate, with resolved tannins and excellent freshness, the 2005 is drinking beautifully today with a gorgeous sense of balance. Delicious straight out of the gate, this classic red Châteauneuf will continue to hold for at least another five years if well stored—a testament to the reliability of Le Vieux Donjon.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
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.
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)
75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault. From lieux-dits: Pialon (50%), Pied de Baud, Mourre de Gaud, Boursan, Marines. 30% destemmed. Concrete tank for 25 days, pumping over, 100% foudres. 50,000 bottles produced. RS 0 g/l. Harvested 13 August to 26 September. Luminous ruby. Light, actually rather fresh nose – not what I expected from a 2005 Châteauneuf. Racy and vigorous. Good fresh fruit and a rather strawberry-like bouquet. Coming along very nicely and with the tannins pretty resolved. Slightly dry on the finish but a confident, vigorous wine. (JR)