TN: 2001 Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape & Cassoulet

WINE TALK
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A still youngish 2001 Donjon with Thomas Keller’s “easy” cassoulet. I’d post a pic if I could figure out how to do so.
Donjon from a .375 purchased at Calvert Woodley for $16…those were the days!

2001 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/18/2009)
Soaring nose of iodine, tobacco, pine, wet leaves. It smells like fall and seems to fit with the visual of snow falling at the Pats game. I love CdP in the fall, it’s like a warm blanket, makes me think of home. Ok, I digress…Palate shows layered red fuit, spice, white pepper and garrigue. Earthy. Hints of funkiness, but just subtle touches. Tightens slightly with air. Still formidable tannins on the backside. Shows like a youngster still, but a delight, and so bloody good with the Cassoulet. Yum.

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Nice note, Dennis. One of my favorite CdP’s, and drinking so well right now for being a baby. I have just 2 bottles left, waiting for the right meal and/or company to share them with!

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Kent-No rush. Wait for the right meal and time, it’s got some years ahead. Cheers.

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Dark side.

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Nice note Dennis.
Looking forward to the cassoulet dinner in the near future with Rowdy.

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Embrace it . . . feel it coursing through your veins. Excellent.

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How can one not embrace it?

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Well, there’s always Berto . . . [neener.gif]

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Thanks Don.
My Cassoulet is tasty, but it in no way approaches Rowdy’s masterpiece. We need to get him on the hook for it; the season is upon us.

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There.

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A few years ago, we did an '01 CdP tasting (blind) w/ about 15 wines. No Téte de Cuvées but all the “big guns” (Pegaü, Beaucastel, Clos des Papes, Usseglio Mon Aieul, etc.) & the Vieux Donjon was the one that was unanimously labelled “most like CdP.” It’s always of high quality & always just screams classic CdP to me…