Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023

Le Vieux Donjon is a small estate of 18 hectares at Courthézon, on the Châteauneuf-du-Pape route in the southern Rhône, run today by Claire Michel. The red is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault grown on the appellation's classic terraces of large rounded galets roulés over clay. These stones store the day's heat and release it overnight, which helps the late-ripening Mourvèdre finish and pushes the wine towards ripe fruit and a warm, generous body. The vines reach up to a hundred years old, with low yields that concentrate the fruit, and the farming is organic. Ageing lasts twelve months in used French oak barrels, which shape and soften the wine without adding obvious new-oak flavour, keeping the focus on fruit and place. The colour is deep red. The nose is ripe raspberry and plum with thyme, rosemary and other garrigue herbs, black pepper, liquorice and a touch of leather. The palate is full and warming, with ripe tannins, southern Rhône spice and a long savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, daube of beef and game.