Le Vieux Télégraphe "La Crau" 2015

The elegant complexity of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the terroir of La Crau

The property

After more than 125 years of existence, the Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is an emblem of the wines of the Rhône Valley. Named after one of the relay towers installed on the estate in 1821 by Claude Chappe, the inventor of the optical telegraph, the property has been operated by the Brunier family for six generations. The Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is located within the plateau of La Crau, southeast of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Of the 70 hectares that make up the Domaine, 65 are dedicated to red wines and 5 to white wines.

The vineyard

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine comes from a noble vineyard of 50 hectares with an average age of 70 years located on the famous plateau of La Crau, southeast of the appellation. The vines are planted on a rare and unique warm terroir, which gives a particular expression to its wines whose minerality is no longer to be proven thanks to soils composed of Miocene molasses (sandstone with clay-limestone cement) resting on a thick layer of clay loaded with pebbles, also called " rolled pebbles ".

Vinification and aging

After a manual harvest with double sorting in the vineyard followed by a third sorting in the cellar, the grapes are lightly crushed, undergoing a new selective destemming. Fermentation then takes place over a long period, ranging from 25 to 40 days in stainless steel tanks and wooden vats. The wine is then aged for 20 to 22 months in French oak casks of 60 hectoliters.

Blend

Grenache, mourvèdre, syrah then cinsault, clairette and various other local grape varieties.

Characteristics and tasting advice for Vieux Télégraphe 2015

Tasting

Nose
Elegant rather than imposing, the nose reveals a great aromatic complexity on floral notes, blackberries and warm spices.

Palate
On the palate, it is a pure and straight wine, presenting elegant tannins, with a beautiful texture, on a moderate density and a slight minerality highlighted by saline notes. It is the whole terroir of La Crau that is expressed on the power of the fruit.

Cellaring

Already showing good maturity, this classic of the appellation will develop all the typical minerality of its terroir after a cellaring period ranging from 2025 to 2030 approximately.