1999 Chateauneuf du Pape

More fresh and focused, the 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape is an elegant, classically-styled effort that offers textbook garrigue, pepper, smoked meats and currant bud-like qualities on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and balanced, it’s drinking at point, but will continue to evolve gradually. Another bastillion of traditional Chateauneuf du Pape, Vieux Donjon is owned by Lucien and Marie Jose Michel, with the winemaking now firmly in the hands of their talented daughter, Claire Michel. They produce a single red and white Chateauneuf du Pape, with the red always a rough blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and the balance a mix of other permitted varieties. They started partial destemming in 1993, pulling out the green stems and keeping the more lignified stems. Aging occurs all in concrete tanks and older foudre. This was a fabulous tasting with both Claire and her brother Francois, and as I hope the notes show, the wines have classic Chateauneuf du Pape character and broad drink windows. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173