Vieux Donjon was formed in 1966 by Marcel Michel. The current iteration came about in 1979 with the marriage of Lucien and Marie José Michel. Both Lucien and Marie José’s parents owned vineyards in the region, and those holdings were combined to form Vieux Donjon. The domaine covers fourteen hectares of vineyards, thirteen planted to red grapes and one planted to white.
Dark crimson in color. 13.5% ABV. Perfect nose of red fruits, iron and herbes de Provence. Sweet and lush on the palate. Flavors of kirsch, maraschino cherries, iodine and blood. If there is any fault here it is that the wine tails off ever so slightly on the finish. I’m not getting the stewed notes many associate with the ’03 Vieux Donjon. Like many ’03’s I think this wine is best consumed in the near term.
My rating: 91 points.
The 2012 version of Vieux Donjon can currently be bought at retail for around $60 and should have a place in your cellar.
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