2005 Chateauneuf du Pape

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)