Le Vieux Donjon Red Rhone Blend Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010

The 2010 Le Vieux Donjon showed a beautiful and highly expressive nose with aromas of black raspberry jam, charred meat, chalky minerals, dried floral notes, and wild herbs. On the palate it had velvety textures with a dark brooding feel yet somehow juicy and fresh with ripe black fruits, exotic spice, Espagnole and black pepper in the background. The finish was long with dark palate staining fruits and a flex of imposing structure. (94 points)

huge nose of red fruit....very smooth on the palatte with a long lingering finish...

The nose opened over time to show blackberry, dark currant, crisp bacon, ginger spice, herbes de Provence and a hint of citrus. On the palate it was full bodied with dark fruit tones hinting at blueberry and plum, along with dark earth, minerals and fig, which last through the finish, coating the palate with intense fruit extract and a hint of tannin. This wine continued to open up over the three hours it was in decanter. It's was still showing youthful tannin but there's so much intense fruit that I can imagine it will only get better. At this time, it's highly enjoyable but would benefit from a few more years in the cellar. (93 points)

Notwithstanding some complaints by friends about the scent of this wine, I find the nose quite enticing: the soft red fruit has camperis mushroom and bacon fat in the background plus some barnyard straw. On entry more mushroom and acidic wild red fruit (like pincherry); there is a slight acerbity on the finish common with Grenache (in my experience). A fine CdP for the price. Keep for 2-3 years or drink now. 90 points.

Gorgeous. So silky, deep, luscious and seductive, like drinking the equivalent of Barry White's voice. I like this more than other much more expensive wines in this category. The varietals all lend their own characteristics, but the flavors are very harmonious. Dark fruits are the most forward, but well balanced with acidity, earth and spice. It's definitely ready to drink now. Will probably be great for a few years, but don't let it go over the hill!

This wine begins to open up about 30 minutes after pouring a glass or decanting. Very strong earthy/musty tones, quite a unique flavor that would pair very nicely with similar foods. Long finish.

from .375. Tasted over three days- color was darkish purple with some murkiness- the initial nose nose was clssic CdP with some garrigue, raspberry and horsey notes- very persistent nose- on the first night the palate was pretty closed, although it did have nice length. When I went back to the bottle after 2 days in the fridge (VacuVined) the wine had evolved significantly, although it did not resolve. The nose was all raspberry jam, but not cloying. The palate was mostly secondary flavors hanging on an impressive frame- great length and persistence throughout. I'd give this a good 5-10 years for the palate and nose to meet-up and create an amazing CdP.