Le Vieux Donjon 2022 Chateauneuf de Pape Blanc
Item Number: 19 10 234 22
Le Vieux Donjon 2022 Chateauneuf de Pape Blanc
94 Point (3X) Rare and Limted CDP Blanc!
Quick Taste
- 94 Points (3X)!
- Iconic CDP Producer
- Woman Winemaker
- 'ripe and substantial, yet lively and delicate'
- Limited!
About Le Vieux Donjon 2022 Chateauneuf de Pape Blanc
Le Vieux Donjon, as it exists today, was created in 1979 with the marriage of Lucien and Marie José Michel. Both Lucien and Marie José's parents owned vineyards in the region, and those holding were combined to form Le Vieux Donjon. The domaine covers fourteen hectares of vineyards (all farmed organically), thirteen planted to red grapes and one planted to white. The Michel's holdings are primarily in the North and Northwest of the AOC, but they also have small plots in the Southwest and East. Their most important parcel is Pialons, and the grapes from the 2008 come from that parcel as well as those in Cabrieres, Bois de Boursan, Les Marines and Le Mourre de Gaude. The soils are mainly limestone and clay, and are studded with the famed galets roulé, the round, rust-colored stones which were left behind after the retreat of the Alpine glaciers which once covered the region.
Since 2008 Claire Fabre has been the winemaker at Le Vieux Donjon. She is the third generation of the Michel family which was founded by the father of Lucien Michel, Marcel Michel, who did the first bottling at his domain in 1966. Since 1979 Marie José and Lucien Michel have run the property. Claire is married to another winegrower, Adrien Fabre of Domaine la Florane in Visan. In 2013 Claire's brother François joined her at the domain, and the two of them became officially responsible for the property together with their mother Marie Michel.
94 Points James Suckling
The attractive nose of apricot and orange blossom pulls you into this ripe and substantial, yet lively and delicate, white Chateauneuf. I love the mouthfeel of this graceful wine and the way the fine tannins support the long finish. A cuvee of 50% clairette and 50% roussanne, which were co-fermented and matured in tank and bottled in February after the vintage to retain freshness. Drink or hold.
94 Points Wine Advocate
A 50-50 blend of Clairette and Roussanne, all made and matured in stainless steel, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a classic example of Vieux Donjon's white. Scents of tangerine, pineapple and white peach are tinged with just a hint of honeyed richness that somehow enhances rather than compromises the overall sense of freshness. It's medium to full-bodied in the mouth, with a silky texture and ample length.
94Points Jeb Dunnuck
Lots of white flowers, melon, and spicy nuances emerge from the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc, a blend of equal parts Clairette and Roussanne brought up all in stainless steel. It's medium to full-bodied, with remarkable purity and freshness, as well as flawless balance. I don't think it's going to make old bones.
93 Points Wine Spectator
Seductive and expressive, with an appealing core of ripe peach and apple flavors that show tropical highlights, buoyed by lemon oil–edged acidity. There's beautiful range to the fruit profile, but also good focus to the lusciousness, showing impressive integration with the gentlest touch of butter.
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 12.0%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Wine Type White
- Country France
- Region Rhône
- Appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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