TN: 2000 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape

WINE TALK
#1
  • 2000 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/17/2010)
    This is why CDP will always be in my cellar. Just don’t drink them too warm and they’re great! This can go another 5 yrs easily but is drinking at or near its peak now. Where else can you get this level of complexity for under $50? I paid $28 for my btl on release. Beautiful nose of forest floor and spice. Silky tanins with vibrant dark fruit, stony and spice flavors. Complete and harmonious. Nothing over the top or manipulated. A great terroir wine and perfect example of classic CDP. Yes, I’m mainly a Burg guy but I’m not giving up my CDPs …ever! (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

#2

Love this domaine, ever since I had their 1998. Thanks for the note.

#3

My 2003s, that were a little too much of a good thing very early, have turned [at least the last 2 bottles] into a soup with no structure and blurred overly sweet tastes.

Of course it might just be the vintage but I wonder if the style may just be OTT for my taste which runs more to e.g. Vieux Telegraphe and Clos des Papes. OTOH I didn’t buy the 2003s of either of those and its the 95s I am currently drinking.

But more time doesn’t seem to be taking the 2003 Vieille Julienne anywhere good.

#4

I’d bet this is more likely a vintage effect than a Domaine effect. Lot’s of stewed 2003’s out there.

#5

I didn’t buy many of their 2000s but I blew through the 2001s…probably a case and a half gone.

#6

Nigel, I think it’s the '03 vintage speaking. I think this producer ages his wines in the large foudres and seems realtively traditional to me in style. I bought about seven 03 Clos Des Pape on release, tried 2 of them looking for what Parker loved and hated them so much I sold the rest quickly. I own, 98, 99,00, 01, and 04 Clos des Pape but stop buying because of the sharp price increases. Too bad, I still love Clos Des Pape but they priced themselves too high for me since '05. I’ve avoided all 03s since my experience with the Pape.

#7

Hi Craig,
I also sold off all (save one) of my 03 Clos Des Papes also. Why did you hate them? To me they weren’t OTT, just nothing special.
Re: 2003. I’m drinking them all up… BDX, Rhone, German… all will be gone within 2-3 years.

#8

Daniel, I thought the 03 Clos Des Pape was a mess. More Liquor than wine. Not for me. Glad they’re gone. The other thing I’ve noticed, the more I drink CDP, the more I like the basic cuvees Like Bosquest des Pape’s, Charvin’s, Beaucastel’s, VT’s, Les Caliou, Bou san’s etc vs the highend richer cuvees. If Parker rates its less than 93pts I usually love it and the price is still sane.

\

#9

Great note Craig. I don’t think I’ve had that one, but by chance I had a friend over to watch the football game yesterday and popped a trio of '00 CdP. I’ve always loved the '00 vintage since the wines have generally shown well at all times, but am now inclined to agree with consensus that the '01s will prove better in the long run.

  • 2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
    Opened, decanted and consumed over about three hours. Dark ruby red color. Stunning nose prominently featuring beautiful fungal notes reminiscent of a fine Burgundy. Added to this are black cherry, pepper, iron/mineral, a mild leather/barnyard and floral notes. The nose is constantly evolving in aroma but always light, elegant and expressive. The taste is a bit of a let-down. Good flavor expressiveness, but almost shrill from the acidity which makes it seem light and thin. A food wine more than a sipper. Tannins are still pretty pronounced and the finish is lovely. I’m not completely sure what to make of all this but I’m hoping this is going through a bit of an awkward phase and will ultimately come around because I’ve got a bunch of these left. (92 pts.)
  • 2000 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
    Opened, decanted and consumed over about three hours. Ruby red color. Stunning nose. Not as complex as the Beaucastel but equally thrilling with aromas of dark fruit, dried herbs, leather, mineral and earth. Equally endearing on the palate with expansive flavors of dark fruit and mineral. Great balance. Mid-weight with great texture. What tannin there is is very smooth. Great, lingering finish. A notch down from the '98 and '01 but impressive nonetheless. (93 pts.)
  • 2000 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
    Opened, decanted and consumed over about three hours. Deep red color. Piercing nose of raspberry liquor complimented by some earth, mushroom and mineral. Seems much younger and riper than the previous two wines. Quite aggressive on the palate with super ripe fruit – almost hot from the perceived alcohol. Flavors flash past and are subsumed behind aggressive, drying tannins. Heat lingers on the finish with some ripe red fruit. This strikes me as a totally different style of wine from the Beaucastel and the Vieux Donjon, but still pretty tasty. (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

#10

+1

I was happy to just find the 07 available for around $50 a bottle. I know that is quite an increase over previous years, but I’m excited to have it nonetheless.

I also love their Lieu did Clavin that can often be found for around $20.

#11

Don’t have any '00 Donjon but wish I did. Sounds great! I love the '00 Beaucastel but haven’t had one since near release. I’d like to open one and see what I think of the palate now too. The palate was beautiful on release. Glad to hear the nose is great.


#12

Craig – I’ve got a case of Vieux Donjon and two cases of Beaucastel so I’m sure you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try both for many years to come.