2005 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Community Tasting Note
BernieMSY wrote:
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 - I gave it 45 minutes of air prior to tasting.
Medium garnet color, with just a touch of bricking at the edges; savory notes of roast meat, and earth
are present on initial tasting. Out of the gate, the fruit has faded a bit relative to the last couple of bottles I’ve tasted. Tannins have receded almost completely, leaving a mouthwatering acidity fighting for balance against savory notes of leather and tar.
90 minutes after opening, a better balance has emerged: a rich mid-palate-coating of black, blue fruit peeks its head out. Quite delicious. Patience is rewarded.
During my initial taste, I would’ve rated this bottle a 92 or 93. After close to two hours of air, it has blossomed and matured into something more profound.
That said, I suggest drinking them up if you’ve got ‘em. I can’t see it getting any better,
At the 2 hour mark, I rated iit at 95. I’ll place a 94 into the score box on this CellarTracker note to balance out the score representing my own overall impression of this outstanding cuvée.
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Comment posted by StefanAkiko:
12/14/2023 8:59:00 AM - You're touching upon an important topic that has no correct answers: scoring.
Here's my take, you do as you please. ;-)
I score all the way, up to 100.
I have stopped scoring wines according to what they 'should' be from a pc POV. If I'm swept off of my feet there and than by a Yellow Tail Pinot Noir, then I am. I used to love drinking Muscadet and not scoring them as the profound, earth-shaking wines I found them. But, now I do. I think you should do too :-)
For this one, I suggest giving it 96 p for good measure and the fact that it grew wonderfully in the glass!
Cheers!