2015 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape is sold out.

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Vintage Classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Wine Bottle
  • 95 pts Wine Spectator
    95 pts WS
  • 95 pts Jeb Dunnuck
    95 pts Jeb Dunnuck
  • 93 - 95 pts Vinous
    93 - 95 pts Vinous
  • 93 pts Wine Advocate
    93 pts RPWA
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2015 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 750 ml

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  • Curated by unrivaled experts
  • Choose your delivery date
  • Temperature controlled shipping options
  • Get credited back if a wine fails to impress

“Bastion of Traditional Chateauneuf” Hits 95-Point Home Run

“Bastion of Traditional Chateauneuf” Hits 95-Point Home Run

Wine Spectator called the 2015 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape “rich, dark and delicious,” and “a real brick house” in the southern Rhône’s classic year and pinned on 95 points. Robert Parker’s former Rhône expert Jeb Dunnuck agreed, posting his own 95-point rating and calling the wine a “gorgeous example of traditionally made Châteauneuf du Pape that’s going to drink beautifully for 15+ years.” Winemaker Claire Fabre interned at Napa’s Harlan Estate. She poured everything she learned into Vieux Donjon. At $55.99 per bottle and just 480 bottles to go around — do not sleep on this one.

Called a “bastillon of traditional Châteauneuf du Pape” from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate,  Vieux Donjon is owned and directed by Claire Fabre and her brother François Michel. Theirs is one of the only remaining domaines that produces a single red Châteauneuf-du-Pape and that’s it — no uber expensive “Special Cuvées” at three times the price. Claire grew up working at Vieux Donjon both in the vineyards and cellar with her mother and father. Vintage after vintage on the estate, Claire gleaned the truths of what makes the terroir of Châteauneuf so special. Growing up on the domaine coupled with spending time abroad employed at Napa Valley’s Harlan Estate, Claire has become a fully rounded winemaker and in 2013 took over all winemaking responsibilities from her father.

Today, she manages roughly 45 acres of organically farmed vineyards of Vieux Donjon where one-third of the vines are over 100 years old. Additional vines planted in Le Pied Long, Bois de Boursan, Le Mourre de Gaud, Champigne and Cabrieres sites throughout Châteauneuf lend structure to the final cuvée. The family also owns vines planted in sandy soils a stone’s throw from Chateau Rayas — and if you’re familiar with the heavy round heat-absorbing “galet” of Châteauneuf, you’d understand that’s not too far.  

Once harvested, grape bunches are partially destemmed and all aging occurs in concrete tanks and aged foudres. This is as classic as Châteauneuf-du-Pape gets.