Le Vieux Donjon, Chateauneuf du Pape 2011

Genuine cult wines from one of the finest wineries in Chateauneuf du Pape and one of the few that makes only one cuvée of its wine -but still gets the extremely rare *** (3 of 3) as one of only two Neufs in le Classement Revue du Vin (the other is Rayas), in addition of course 5 * (5/5) by Parker etc.

In 2011, the legendary Lucien Michel handed over the reins to his daughter Claire, who has a past on the Napa cult domain Harlan (if 2010 got 98 + p by Parker). The operation is heading towards organic. *** (out of 3) in Guide Revue du Vin, 5 out of 5 stars at Parker: "A great classic". "Lots of body and muscle, but no clumsy mastodon; real complexity and elegance behind the powerful exterior" -Remington Norman.
93p / Tanzer, 2011 is a classic deep lingering, richly fragrant wine with great length, ripe now.
91p / Parker: "Starting with the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape, it's a forward, supple and sweetly fruited effort that offers up loads of kirsch, garrigue, licorice and pepper on the nose. Playing in the medium-bodied, elegant spectrum, it will evolve nicely for 7-8 years 2014-22.
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. 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 ".
Photo shows mother Marie-José and daughter Claire as well as father and mother + Claire and brother Francois. Winemaker / owner Claire together with Philippe Cambie, the giant wine consultant, who gives advice here (but he has shown VERY busy).