2003 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Nice to revisit this wine at age 18.  2003 was a very hot vintage that was problematic for many winemakers.  This one is holding up just fine.  It is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and the rest Cinsault and Mourvedre.  This is fully mature but only showing a bit of age.  Light purple in color but still opaque and mostly bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, garrigue and dried tobacco.  Full bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry and black cherry fruit with underlying tobacco and some char.  Good complexity.  Long finish.  This will work better with hearty food; beef stew would work well.  Drink over the next five to ten years.