Wine Spectator Score: 96

Score: 96-98 RP

Region: Rhone

District: Chateauneuf du Pape

Type: Still Wine

Color: Red

Varietal: Rhone Blends

Vintage: 2005

Size: 750ML

Available: 4

Brand: See more from Domaine Vieille Julienne

Sku: 32452

Price: $524.99

Quantity:   

Wine Spectator Review:
Quite lush for a 2005, with rich, forward raspberry and boysenberry fruit layered with mocha, fruitcake and Christmas pudding notes. Intense graphite underpinning keeps it all honest. The superlong finish is loaded with raspberry ganache and Turkish coffee notes. Just grows and grows in the glass. Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2009 through 2029. 250 cases made.

Parker Review:
The 2005 Reserve, which comes from ancient 101-year-old Grenache vines planted in pure sand, has an inky/purple color as well, an extraordinary nose of graphite (even though there is no new oak used, only ancient foudres), fabulous purity of blackberry, cherry, and cassis fruit with hints of licorice, smoke, and a touch of resin and spice. Still uncertain about the finalized name because this is the 100th anniversary of the estate, the Reserve could have some other name such as Hommage. However, it will be the only other Chateauneuf du Pape other than the bottling just reviewed. This is a fabulous wine that certainly will be one of the monuments of the vintage, and a wine capable of lasting 25-35 years. It will also require some patience from purchasers needing 4-5 years of bottle age. (2011-2042)