A very strong vintage for this traditionally made Chateauneuf du Pape, the 2003, a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault, has a deep ruby/plum/purple color and a big sweet nose of dried Provencal herbs, licorice, seaweed, and spice box. The wine is massively concentrated, relatively high in alcohol by the standards here (15% plus on their component parts), and has a long, concentrated, chewy finish with high tannin and equally high extract. If there is one Chateauneuf du Pape that smells like an open-air Provencal spice, flower, and food market, it is Vieux Donjon. read more...It is a classic, concentrated essence of Provence, all in an alcoholic beverage. This wine will need 4ndash;5 years of cellaring when released and drink well for 15ndash;20 years.    (hide)

75% Grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mouvedre, 5% other; stunning; deep ruby, nose of blk cherry, plums, currants, lavendar, licorice; rich fruit forward mouth with tannins