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Domaine de la Vieille Julienne is home to some of the most singular wines in all of the Rhone. Only a small handful of producers in Chateauneuf-du-Pape even come close to the level that this estate produces regularly. Among the wines of this lauded estate, the Reserve reigns as king. Even in trying years, this wine flirts with perfection and has critics drooling over the potential. Unfortunately, only minuscule amounts are made, leaving us with a tiny allocation of just a handful of bottles. If high scores and one-way tickets to a land of bliss are your thing, this is not to be missed.

Since 1905, Domaine de la Vieille Julienne has been producing wine from the small estate vineyard in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. What is particularly unique about their location is the slope these grapes are planted on faces North.

We regularly hear about south-facing vineyards, but in a region as warm as the Southern Rhone Valley, this lesser exposure to the sun actually extends the growing season. This longer growth cycle gives the vines the gift of extremely complex aromatic profiles that beautifully translate into a harmonious wine.

2022 Vieille Julienne “Ceci Est” is all about instant pleasure. Fresh, fruit-driven, and effortlessly drinkable, this is the red you open for friends and finish without thinking twice. Versatile at the table—charcuterie, grills, Mediterranean plates—it’s an easy entry into the domaine’s style, with enough aromatic depth to keep things interesting.