Not what it once was, but still fun to drink. A little too cool coming out of the cellar, the flavors and aromas were muted. With decanting it came alive in ~15 minutes. Not a lot of sediment. Garnet in color, still plenty of fruit, structure and complexity. Tasted much younger than its age for the first hour then faded. By the time we finished the bottle it was showing its age, tasting a bit oxidized.
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This wine was rocking tonight! Old world through and through; leather, damp earth, dried herbs along with silky berry fruit. Had along with a more "modern" Chateauneuf from the '98 vintage and the Donjon blew it away (sorry, '98 La Nerthe Cadettes). Still has the structure (and fruit) to last another decade+. Give Donjon time (lots) and it always seems to blossom into some great.
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Harry Karris and co at Againn (Againn, Washington DC): Was a bit deaf upon opening but given time in the glass, it developed a wonderful floral component to match its classic and rustic composition. Hints of saddle, rust and garrigue with a fine but a bit high pitched finish.
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Chateauneuf-du-Pape Dinner with Harry Karis (Againn, Washington DC): Nose was full of dense spices, coffee, tilled soil, sous bois and red fruit. Incredible depth on the palate with the red fruit showing quite well. Flavors were well resolved and integrated. Didn't take as detailed notes as I should have for this one.
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Smelled like it wanted to be great, spices, garrigue, a touch of horse... but still very backward and closed on the palate. Hope this comes around, but unfortunately my last bottle. If you drink this, decant well ahead. Rating reserved.
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Old style Chateauneuf. Big nose of liquorice, black fruits and bitter herbs, quite medicinal. No sign of any brett. To taste a fully mature wine but one that still has years left. Big resounding flavours, dark bitter fruit and herbs. Dense, weighty and lingering. Old style in that the bitter fruit predominates. Not my favourite style of Chateauneuf, I much prefer ones with sweeter fruit (like the 2001 Vieux Donjon - a much nicer wine). A worthwhile drink, but I wouldn't seek out any more of this vintage.
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This could have used some decanting. Drank somewhat hard and austere- not nearly as open and loving as my last bottle- which was slightly closed tasting as well. Too bad, I didn't check my old note before bringing this. Last bottle will get a few more years.
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On the nose, a good dose of brett. Lots of red fruits remain in this wine, though I had a hard time ID'ing the specific one. Dusting of white pepper in there as well.
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1990 and older CdP Redux (Ed Murray's): I really wanted to love this one, but I think it was still kind of closed down. Some bitterness on the finish, and a whole boatload of tannins accompany the Asian spice nose. definitely need to try another one of these in a few years.
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Pre-'90 Chateauneuf in Seattle (Kaspars): On the nose, some brett, minerals and beef blood. On the palate, some autumn leaves, sous bois, minerals, tart cherries and red berries. The wine seemed a bit closed and had relatively high acid. I liked it - a wine with character!
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12/17/2016 - VoVo Likes this wine: 88 Points
Not what it once was, but still fun to drink. A little too cool coming out of the cellar, the flavors and aromas were muted. With decanting it came alive in ~15 minutes. Not a lot of sediment. Garnet in color, still plenty of fruit, structure and complexity. Tasted much younger than its age for the first hour then faded. By the time we finished the bottle it was showing its age, tasting a bit oxidized.
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3/6/2011 - ghood wrote: 93 Points
This wine was rocking tonight! Old world through and through; leather, damp earth, dried herbs along with silky berry fruit. Had along with a more "modern" Chateauneuf from the '98 vintage and the Donjon blew it away (sorry, '98 La Nerthe Cadettes). Still has the structure (and fruit) to last another decade+. Give Donjon time (lots) and it always seems to blossom into some great.
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11/30/2010 - Faryan wrote: 91 Points
Harry Karris and co at Againn (Againn, Washington DC): Was a bit deaf upon opening but given time in the glass, it developed a wonderful floral component to match its classic and rustic composition. Hints of saddle, rust and garrigue with a fine but a bit high pitched finish.
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11/30/2010 - tooch wrote: 90 Points
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Dinner with Harry Karis (Againn, Washington DC): Nose was full of dense spices, coffee, tilled soil, sous bois and red fruit. Incredible depth on the palate with the red fruit showing quite well. Flavors were well resolved and integrated. Didn't take as detailed notes as I should have for this one.
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12/4/2008 - ScottG wrote:
Smelled like it wanted to be great, spices, garrigue, a touch of horse... but still very backward and closed on the palate. Hope this comes around, but unfortunately my last bottle. If you drink this, decant well ahead. Rating reserved.
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3/4/2007 - kevin h wrote: 91 Points
Old style Chateauneuf. Big nose of liquorice, black fruits and bitter herbs, quite medicinal. No sign of any brett. To taste a fully mature wine but one that still has years left. Big resounding flavours, dark bitter fruit and herbs. Dense, weighty and lingering. Old style in that the bitter fruit predominates. Not my favourite style of Chateauneuf, I much prefer ones with sweeter fruit (like the 2001 Vieux Donjon - a much nicer wine). A worthwhile drink, but I wouldn't seek out any more of this vintage.
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10/24/2005 - ScottG wrote: 89 Points
This could have used some decanting. Drank somewhat hard and austere- not nearly as open and loving as my last bottle- which was slightly closed tasting as well. Too bad, I didn't check my old note before bringing this. Last bottle will get a few more years.
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10/22/2005 - DFC wrote: 91 Points
On the nose, a good dose of brett. Lots of red fruits remain in this wine, though I had a hard time ID'ing the specific one. Dusting of white pepper in there as well.
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10/22/2005 - Not Levine wrote: 90 Points
1990 and older CdP Redux (Ed Murray's): I really wanted to love this one, but I think it was still kind of closed down. Some bitterness on the finish, and a whole boatload of tannins accompany the Asian spice nose. definitely need to try another one of these in a few years.
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4/30/2005 - Blair Curtis wrote: 92 Points
Pre-'90 Chateauneuf in Seattle (Kaspars): On the nose, some brett, minerals and beef blood. On the palate, some autumn leaves, sous bois, minerals, tart cherries and red berries. The wine seemed a bit closed and had relatively high acid. I liked it - a wine with character!
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4/30/2005 - ScottG wrote: 93 Points
Seattle does pre-90 Chateauneuf- April offline at Kaspars (Kaspars Restaurant in Seattle): A bit of brettiness on the nose, but definitely in a good way. Still a bit closed up- with some astringency and solid tannins left. A touch metallic, lots of minerality, charcoal, a little black pepper. Very nice wine with a lot of time left.
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2/5/1992 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 85 Points
2 TASTINGS TODAY- RHONES & WANNABES + CABERNET SAUVIGNONS (Prima, Walnut Creek, Ca.): Nice, light, fruity nose, little woody but fruity on the palate, good flavors, nice finish.
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