100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate

"A modern-day legend in the making is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve from Jean-Paul Daumen, one of the greatest young wines I’ve ever tasted. This Grenache-dominated effort was brought up all in foudre and tastes like the essence of this incredible terroir located on the northern edge of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Deep purple-colored, with an intoxicating bouquet of black raspberries, crushed herbs, black licorice, spring flowers, and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, multi-dimensional texture, a huge mid-palate, and a finish that goes on for over a minute. Not far off the style of the Les Trois Sources, yet with another level of concentration, it has a certain accessibility yet won’t be at its best for another 4-5 years, but it will keep for another two decades or more."

Winemaker's Notes
Reviews/Accolades

Organic and biodynamic approaches, minimal intervention and a great love for the terroir have always displayed the essence of Vieille Julienne. Jean-Paul Daumen took over from his father in 1992 and has since become one of the most iconic, innovative and respected producers of the Rhone. Jean-Paul Daumen took over from his father in 1992 and has since become one of the most revered, inventive and respected producers in France. He is a thoughtful, intelligent and deeply caring vigneron, managing the beautiful estate of Domaine de le Vieille Julienne like a philosopher or poet. Daumen farms 10ha of biodynamic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with an average vine age of 70 years. There is a stonethrow distance between his Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Côtes du Rhône appellations (3 meters to be precise), so it is not a surprise to Rhône lovers that both display the power and structure the region’s best wines are known for.

Jean-Paul is aware of the unique nature of an estate property in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and started to change his methods of vinification and blending in 2010. He moved away from blending in the winery and put all his focus on balanced field blends in the vineyard; the process of blending is now on a parcel by parcel basis, and not based on a grape by grape variety choice. Low yields are a priority at Vieille Julienne. Being held below 20hl per hectare, this leads to power, purity and concentration in his wines. The grapes are destemmed before co-fermentation in the cuverie, while aging takes place in a combination of foudres and old oak barrels. In short, these are “vineyard” wines of immense concentration, but little winery influence. In addition to his Vieille Julienne label, Jean-Paul is also making wines under his biodynamic negoc label Daumen. Even if these wines have the intention to be more accessible, they are anything but simple.

Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France
Variety: 85% Grenache 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault
Alcohol: 15.5%
100 points - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate

"A modern-day legend in the making is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve from Jean-Paul Daumen, one of the greatest young wines I’ve ever tasted. This Grenache-dominated effort was brought up all in foudre and tastes like the essence of this incredible terroir located on the northern edge of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Deep purple-colored, with an intoxicating bouquet of black raspberries, crushed herbs, black licorice, spring flowers, and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, multi-dimensional texture, a huge mid-palate, and a finish that goes on for over a minute. Not far off the style of the Les Trois Sources, yet with another level of concentration, it has a certain accessibility yet won’t be at its best for another 4-5 years, but it will keep for another two decades or more."

93-95 points - Vinous

Brilliant ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-tinged red berries, candied flowers and incense. Pliant and seamless on the palate, showing impressive density as well as energy to the sweet raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors. The floral note comes back steadily on an impressively persistent, youthfully tannic finish that leaves exotic spice and red fruit preserve notes behind.