Wine Lovers' Page: Le Vieux Donjon 1995 Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Today's Wine Tasting Note

Le Vieux Donjon 1995 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($21.99)
Very dark ruby. Clean black-fruit and fragrant pepper aromas, with subtle herbal notes but none of the funky, earthy elements characteristic of some red Rhônes. Big, mouth-filling black-fruit and spice flavors over a muscular structure of tart acidity. Firm tannins are present, but there's so much fruit that the wine remains very accessible. Drink now, or hold until the early years of the new century. U.S. importer: Alain Junguenet Selection, Wines of France Inc., Mountainside, N.J. (May 29, 1998)

FOOD MATCH: Perfect with a grilled sirloin coated with cracked black pepper.

And, as lagniappe, here are my notes on another French wine tasted recently. This one's odd earthy character makes it less than a great value, in my opinion, but it's worth adding to the record:

Edmond Vatan 1994 Clos la Neore Chavignol Sancerre ($14.99)
Pale brass color. Earthy aroma, with a startling and frankly offputting element that smells exactly like a damp wool sweater or maybe a wet dog. The worst of it blows off after a half-hour, leaving ripe cheese and white fruit notes. It's better on the palate, with full and tart fresh-fruit flavors and cleansing acidity. U.S. importer: Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, Pa. (May 24, 1998)

FOOD MATCH: Spaghetti with white clam sauce. The match is OK, but that wet-wool quality in the wine simply isn't appetizing.

Have you tasted these wines?
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and I'll consider adding them to this page.

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All my wine-tasting reports are consumer-oriented. In order to maintain objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest, I purchase all the wines I rate at my own expense in retail stores.

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