1998 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Probably past its best days, without hesitation, the wine offers dark cherries, fig, kirsch, spice and herb notes. Lush, round, filling, but lacking excitement and length, there is ample ripe, overripe, sweet, dark red fruits on the palate with a dose of fig in the endnote. If you own a bottle of this rare wine, you really need to pop the cork, as its best days were probably several years ago. 92 Points

The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape from the Michel family was firing on all cylinders for this retrospective, and while I’ve had bottles stateside that seem tired, this was beautiful on all accounts. Garrigue, truffle, leather and plenty of ripe fruit flow to a full-bodied, mouth filling and unctuously textured feel on the palate. A classic, foudre-aged blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and the rest other permitted varieties, I would drink bottles ASAP while they’re showing this beautifully, but it will certainly hold nicely for another 7-8 years.

I tasted the 1998 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape early on a long day of tasting, and seriously considered not spitting. Drinking at point for my palate, this gorgeous, classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape possesses brilliant aromas of garrigue, game, leather, and beautifully ripe, pure Grenache fruit. Broad and chewy on the palate, with a silky, light texture, full body, and a long, finish, this should not be missed by any lover of southern Rhônes and is a testament to traditionally made Châteauneuf-du-Pape!