From Avignon: Châteauneuf du Pape Half-Day Wine Tour
Embark on a half-day wine tour from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Enjoy a scenic photo stop at the ruins of the Pope's summer residence, then visit two wineries for ...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Best 5 to 20 years from vintage.
vintage5 yrs20 yrs22 yrs
Critic scores
No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.
In the glass
Aroma: ripe blackberry, thyme, iron, dried cherry, earthy spice
Palate: dark plum, leather, tobacco, firm mineral tannins, long finish
Traditional-style Chateauneuf from the Michel family: deeply coloured, earthy, herb-driven, and structured with good acidity and firm tannins built for ageing.
What it pairs with
- Daube de boeuf Provencale Earthy and herb-driven, the wine mirrors the slow-braised beef and olive dish.More wines for beef stew →
- Roasted rack of lamb with thyme and rosemary Herb notes and firm tannins make this a natural with roasted lamb.More wines for lamb →
- Pigeon casserole Iron and leather notes match the gaminess of roasted pigeon.More wines for game →
With cheese
How to serve Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Daube de boeuf Provencale, Roasted rack of lamb with thyme and rosemary, Pigeon casserole. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The Michel family estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, run with a conservative, traditional philosophy. The domaine produces a single Chateauneuf rouge from old Grenache and Syrah vines, unfiltered and aged in old foudres.
- 1979Le Vieux Donjon established as an estate-bottled Chateauneuf
- 2000Second generation Michel family continues traditional winemaking approach
Facts
- Producer
- Le Vieux Donjon · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Grenache (70%), Syrah (15%), Mourvedre (10%), Cinsault (5%)
- Classification
- Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
- Oak
- Old large foudres; no new oak; no filtration
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 50-80 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1979
Frequently asked about Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape
What does Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape taste like?
On the nose, ripe blackberry, thyme, iron, dried cherry, earthy spice. On the palate, dark plum, leather, tobacco, firm mineral tannins, long finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. Traditional-style Chateauneuf from the Michel family: deeply coloured, earthy, herb-driven, and structured with good acidity and firm tannins built for ageing.
When should I drink Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Daube de boeuf Provencale is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roasted rack of lamb with thyme and rosemary and Pigeon casserole. Earthy and herb-driven, the wine mirrors the slow-braised beef and olive dish.
What grapes are in Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
The blend is Grenache (70%), Syrah (15%), Mourvedre (10%), Cinsault (5%). The wine is classified as Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC.
Tags
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