Domaine de la Vieille Julienne
Few estates have done more to elevate the reputation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape over the past three decades than Domaine de la Vieille Julienne. Established in the 17th century, the estate occupies a remarkable 20-hectare holding at the northern limit of the appellation, where its old vines grow in a single, contiguous block across the vineyards of Les Trois Sources, Les Hauts-Lieux and Clavin.
Unlike much of the Southern Rhône, this is a cooler, north-facing site. The combination of elevation, varied soils and a distinctive microclimate allows the Daumen family to produce wines of extraordinary freshness and precision whilst retaining the richness and generosity expected of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The vineyards are farmed biodynamically, all fruit is harvested by hand, fermentation relies solely on indigenous yeasts, and the wines are matured for around 18 months in large oak foudres before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The philosophy is one of minimal intervention, allowing each vineyard and vintage to express itself naturally.
One of the estate's defining characteristics is its commitment to complantation, the traditional practice of growing several grape varieties together within the same vineyard rather than in separate blocks. The original varieties are continually propagated and replanted amongst the existing vines, preserving the complexity and balance that have characterised these vineyards for centuries.
The range progresses through a fascinating series of terroirs. The superb value Lieu Dit Clavin comes from vines just outside the Châteauneuf-du-Pape boundary, while the village Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers a beautifully balanced expression of the estate. Les Trois Sources combines power with remarkable finesse, Les Hauts-Lieux is more structured and ageworthy thanks to its higher elevation and greater proportion of Mourvèdre, whilst the tiny production Réservé is only produced in vintages when a handful of century-old Grenache vines display something truly exceptional.
Today, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne is rightly regarded as one of the benchmark estates of the Southern Rhône, producing wines of exceptional purity, longevity and character that rank among the finest examples of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
