Background

One cannot think of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the most celebrated cru of the Southern Rhône, without thinking of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. The Brunier family is legendary in its own right, having been rooted to the enigmatic plateau known as “La Crau” for over one hundred years. The wines of Vieux Télégraphe evoke the concept of terroir in its purest form: they reflect their dramatic climate, the rough terrain that defines the soil, their full sun exposure at a higher altitude, the typicity of the varietals with an emphasis on Grenache, and of course, the influence of their caretakers, the Brunier family. For many, La Crau is Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s grandest cru.

Tasting notes

Red and dark fruits including raspberry, cherry, blackberry and dark cherry. Lavender and garrigue, mellowed tannins with a hint of white pepper on the finish.

Winemaking

Grapes sourced from these lieux-dits: La Crau, Pignan, Colombis, Escondudes, Rascassa, Font de Michèle, Blaireaux. Systematic de-stemming of the grapes followed by traditional fermentation in temperature-controlled cuves for approximately 25 days. Wine rests in cement tank for 10 months, and then ages for another 6 months in foudres.

Food pairings

Rare meat especially beef - e.g. a chargrilled steak (rare meat softens the effect of big tannins) Slow cooked but not heavily sauced meat (lamb and pork as well as beef).

Awards