1999 Le Vieux Donjon and a "CdP" Blend from that winemaker in Berkley

1999 Le Vieux Donjon CdP
Quite young and primary but drinking superbly thank you very much. A lovely nose of herbs, funk (dirt), leather with some anise thrown into the mix. Deep dark cherry/blackberry fruit is quite primary. Lenthy spiced finish. Solid structure. Very accessible now and if you own a bunch go ahead and open one. However there is little doubt in my mind it will continue to improve for at least another 8-10 years.


2001 Edmunds St. John, Los Robles Viejos (Paso)
A CdP type blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache, etc. that very much held its own against the Donjon. In fact, if I were prone to assigning points, I’d give the LRV a point or two more. However, I’d never throw either one out of my bed, err, I mean my glass. The ESJ was a bit more flamboyant on the nose than the Donjon with an enticing/compelling violet aroma deftly framing the fruit. I still have 8 in the cellar, but since it is still available locally for ~$15, I may just have to back up the truck.

Still enough of each left for a glass with dinner later today.

Hi Winger,

I had a similar experience with the '01 ESJ Los Robles Viejos. I thought the nose was tremendous, with smoky syrah and some animal funk from the mourvedre, and found the kirsch grenache fruit to dominate the mouth flavors. I could be happy with my nose in a glass of this all night. I think it will just get better with age. Paid full retail for mine though, but it was still a great value.

Best,
Marc (a full fledged but recent ESJ convert)

We just opened our first bottle of this tonight, with venison-black bean chili.
2001 Edmunds St. John Los Robles Viejos
Our first impression was of alcohol, but after a bit of time, there was more dark berry fruit, pencil lead, a hint of spices and a bit of butterscotch developing late. There was a good spine of acidity, and the overall weight was perfect for a heavy summer meal.
Stylistically, this reminded me most of a Ridge Lytton Springs with some age on it or one of Bill Easton's Cotes de L'Ouest, similar GSM(C) melange. Had I been tasting this blind, I probably would have gone for Syrah or Zin and been befuddled as to location. Many thanks to Bill Paumen for both bringing these wines into the state and alerting me to their presence.

Mark Lipton