Domaine de la Vielle Julienne
Domaine de la Vieille Julienne lies in the northern part of the appellation on mostly sandy terroir farmed organically and sustainably since Jean-Paul took over the estate in 1990.
Jean-Paul Daumen, the man behind this stunning estate, is the 5th generation owner and winemaker of Domaine de la Vieille Julienne. Other than being named by Matt Walls as one of six Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers to watch in 2017, recommended by Forbes in 2016, Jean-Paul’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Trois Sources 2016 also made it to the 6th spot on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2020. Despite cementing his stature as one of the most established producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Jean-Paul remains curious and open to new ideas in his never-ending journey towards perfection.
Viniculture
Keeping yields minuscule, he produces powerful and long-lived wines that are aged in neutral foudres and tanks to retain freshness. First made in 1994 from vines over 100 years old, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve is, according to Dunnuck, “only produced when Jean-Paul feels that the plot has something special to say”.
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)
My wine of the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve, which is in the same league as the other greats from this estate including the 2001, 2003, 2005, 2010, and 2016. Revealing a deep purple color as well as a massive bouquet of crème de cassis, violets, graphite, black licorice, and hints of pepper garrigue, it hits the palate with a massive array of fruit, full-bodied richness, no hard edges, and enough sweet tannins to warrant another 5-7 years of bottle age. Based all on very old vine Grenache from sandy soils just across the street from the domaine (the Trois Source has a large portion of its blend from a similar terroir), brought up all in foudre, it’s a singular, heavenly wine from Jean-Paul Daumen that’s going to go down as one of the greats from Châteauneuf du Pape.Inc. TAX€1,471.68 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is another magical wine, and I might have rated this cuvée a perfect score more than any other Southern Rhône. Unquestionably in the same realm as the 2017, 2016, 2010, 2005, 2003, and 2001, it has an incredible, full-bodied, massive style that somehow stays perfectly balanced, with flawless integration of its fruit, tannins, acidity, and alcohol. Lots of red, blue, and black fruits, loamy earth, Asian spice, licorice, and violet nuances emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s a sexier, more opulent wine than the Les Hauts-Lieux release yet has the same perfect tannins that are so rare to find in the vintage. This required at least 4-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for 20-25+ years.Inc. TAX€311.06 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is another magical wine, and I might have rated this cuvée a perfect score more than any other Southern Rhône. Unquestionably in the same realm as the 2017, 2016, 2010, 2005, 2003, and 2001, it has an incredible, full-bodied, massive style that somehow stays perfectly balanced, with flawless integration of its fruit, tannins, acidity, and alcohol. Lots of red, blue, and black fruits, loamy earth, Asian spice, licorice, and violet nuances emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s a sexier, more opulent wine than the Les Hauts-Lieux release yet has the same perfect tannins that are so rare to find in the vintage. This required at least 4-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for 20-25+ years.Inc. TAX€1,560.44 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Lastly, the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is probably the wine of the vintage. You're not going to find a richer, more concentrated wine out there, especially one that's also flawlessly balanced and as seamless as they come. Almost all Grenache from a single parcel of sandy soils, brought up in foudre, its dense purple hue is followed by a mammoth-sized bouquet of black and blue fruits, herbes de Provence, graphite, ground pepper, and liquid violets. Full-bodied, powerful, and opulent on the palate, it has building yet sweet tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, and a huge mid-palate, all of which give it some approachability even today. Nevertheless, this incredible wine deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will cruise for two decades in cold cellars.Inc. TAX€325.46 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Lastly, the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is probably the wine of the vintage. You're not going to find a richer, more concentrated wine out there, especially one that's also flawlessly balanced and as seamless as they come. Almost all Grenache from a single parcel of sandy soils, brought up in foudre, its dense purple hue is followed by a mammoth-sized bouquet of black and blue fruits, herbes de Provence, graphite, ground pepper, and liquid violets. Full-bodied, powerful, and opulent on the palate, it has building yet sweet tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, and a huge mid-palate, all of which give it some approachability even today. Nevertheless, this incredible wine deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will cruise for two decades in cold cellars.Inc. TAX€1,560.44 -
Vinous (92)
Brilliant ruby. Deep-pitched cherry, dark berry and lavender pastille scents show excellent clarity and a vibrant mineral quality. Sappy, concentrated and focused on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors in a suave marriage of power and tension. Supple tannins build slowly on a long, smoke- and spice-tinged finish that emphatically echoes the floral note.Inc. TAX€201.34
-
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
My wine of the vintage is the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve, which is in the same league as the other greats from this estate including the 2001, 2003, 2005, 2010, and 2016. Revealing a deep purple color as well as a massive bouquet of crème de cassis, violets, graphite, black licorice, and hints of pepper garrigue, it hits the palate with a massive array of fruit, full-bodied richness, no hard edges, and enough sweet tannins to warrant another 5-7 years of bottle age. Based all on very old vine Grenache from sandy soils just across the street from the domaine (the Trois Source has a large portion of its blend from a similar terroir), brought up all in foudre, it’s a singular, heavenly wine from Jean-Paul Daumen that’s going to go down as one of the greats from Châteauneuf du Pape.In Bond€1,205.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is another magical wine, and I might have rated this cuvée a perfect score more than any other Southern Rhône. Unquestionably in the same realm as the 2017, 2016, 2010, 2005, 2003, and 2001, it has an incredible, full-bodied, massive style that somehow stays perfectly balanced, with flawless integration of its fruit, tannins, acidity, and alcohol. Lots of red, blue, and black fruits, loamy earth, Asian spice, licorice, and violet nuances emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s a sexier, more opulent wine than the Les Hauts-Lieux release yet has the same perfect tannins that are so rare to find in the vintage. This required at least 4-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for 20-25+ years.In Bond€255.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Lastly, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve is another magical wine, and I might have rated this cuvée a perfect score more than any other Southern Rhône. Unquestionably in the same realm as the 2017, 2016, 2010, 2005, 2003, and 2001, it has an incredible, full-bodied, massive style that somehow stays perfectly balanced, with flawless integration of its fruit, tannins, acidity, and alcohol. Lots of red, blue, and black fruits, loamy earth, Asian spice, licorice, and violet nuances emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s a sexier, more opulent wine than the Les Hauts-Lieux release yet has the same perfect tannins that are so rare to find in the vintage. This required at least 4-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for 20-25+ years.In Bond€1,275.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Lastly, the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is probably the wine of the vintage. You're not going to find a richer, more concentrated wine out there, especially one that's also flawlessly balanced and as seamless as they come. Almost all Grenache from a single parcel of sandy soils, brought up in foudre, its dense purple hue is followed by a mammoth-sized bouquet of black and blue fruits, herbes de Provence, graphite, ground pepper, and liquid violets. Full-bodied, powerful, and opulent on the palate, it has building yet sweet tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, and a huge mid-palate, all of which give it some approachability even today. Nevertheless, this incredible wine deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will cruise for two decades in cold cellars.In Bond€267.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Lastly, the 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve is probably the wine of the vintage. You're not going to find a richer, more concentrated wine out there, especially one that's also flawlessly balanced and as seamless as they come. Almost all Grenache from a single parcel of sandy soils, brought up in foudre, its dense purple hue is followed by a mammoth-sized bouquet of black and blue fruits, herbes de Provence, graphite, ground pepper, and liquid violets. Full-bodied, powerful, and opulent on the palate, it has building yet sweet tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, and a huge mid-palate, all of which give it some approachability even today. Nevertheless, this incredible wine deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will cruise for two decades in cold cellars.In Bond€1,275.00 -
Vinous (92)
Brilliant ruby. Deep-pitched cherry, dark berry and lavender pastille scents show excellent clarity and a vibrant mineral quality. Sappy, concentrated and focused on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors in a suave marriage of power and tension. Supple tannins build slowly on a long, smoke- and spice-tinged finish that emphatically echoes the floral note.In Bond€144.00

