2005 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne

This estate, in the very northern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005, but the extraordinary wines have only really come with the emergence of Jean-Paul Daumen as a seasoned and competent producer, over the last seven to eight years. He is now one of the truly stunning producers in all of France. (Wine Advocate February 2007).

cdp

£315 under bond / per 12-bottle case

The exquisite, deep purple-coloured 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape boasts an exceptional bouquet of black currants, creosote, kirsch, spring flowers, pepper, and tobacco leaves. It is fabulously rich, expansive, glorious pure, full-bodied, long, and deep. Sweetness from high glycerin and rich fruit nearly conceals some formidable tannins in the finish. This wine should evolve and last for over two decades.

Robert Parker 95+ points (drink 2011-2027)

Over the last decade, Jean-Paul Daumen, the proprietor, winemaker, and Mr. Everything at Vieille Julienne, has emerged as one of France's most compelling wine producers. Taking advantage of the ancient vines his family owns in the northern sector of Châteauneuf du Pape, and biodynamically farming the entire vineyard, he has produced extraordinary wines since 1998. Daumen's winemaking philosophy is remarkably simple - old vines, tiny yields of around 20 hectoliters per hectare, no SO2 during vinification, ageing in neutral tanks or wood, and bottling without fining or filtration. The results are wines of extraordinary purity, and naked expressions of terroir as well as the personality of the vintage. I can not recommend these wines highly enough. Sadly, as with most of the world's most majestic wines, production is relatively limited, and the demand is insatiable.

Contact James Maitland to order - james@seckfordwines.co.uk - +44 (0)1394 446610