Beautiful silky Châteauneuf terroir aromas: leather game truffles plum dried herbs lead pencil. It all swirls around in the palate a deeply satisfying blend that surprises and harks back to something as simple as a walk in the country on a rainy autumn day. Supple tannins on the balanced finish. Drink now through 2010. 4165 cases made.

The 2000 represents an educational tour of the southern Rhone in particular Chateauneuf du Pape. It possesses all the appellation’s classic components ... underbrush garrigue licorice pepper lavender sweet black cherries and incense. Extremely perfumed and heady this full-bodied moderately tannic offering comes close to matching the mass and blockbuster power of the 1998. Firm tannin in the finish suggests a long aging curve. Given my experience with Vieux Donjon most of the classic vintages hit their peak at 7-8 years where they remain for 5-6 years. Around age 15-16 they begin a slow decline. The 2000 should follow that path. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016.