Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf du Pape Télégramme 2015

This wine comes from vines perched on top of a hill that is nothing much to look at, which is routinely battered by the harsh mistral wind and which is characterised by a landscape of large rocks.

BUT (and we like a big but here at Oddbins), it is hallowed land for growing Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and the like. It has a unique geological make-up that we won't bore you with here, but which means that you can buy bottles of pure, unadulterated joy like this vibrant, red-fruit and clove-flavoured hero of a wine.

'Nuff said! (Or, if not 'nuff said, have a look at the Read More section below)

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe takes its name from a tower built in 1793 by Claude Chappe (the inventor of the optical telegraph system) on the plateau near Bédarrides, next to the town of Châteauneuf du Pape. Owned by the famous Brunier family, the Domain consists of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and old Clairette vines planted on a one of the highest stony terraces in the appellation; La Crau. La Crau has alluvial deposits, limestone, silica and robust red clay that provides the ideal conditions for these vines.

The Bruniers produce very refined, beautifully measured Châteauneuf du Pape, the result of a harmonious marriage of traditional and modern techniques. Grapes are de-stalked except for the old Grenache vines and the wines are vinified in and aged for 10 months, followed by a further 12 months in old 50-70 hl oak ‘foudres’. Eventually bottling takes place, without filtration, after a total of 22 months. This Domaine is a yardstick for modern era of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The second wine of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, Telegramme is made from younger vines that are, on average 25 years old and are mainly Grenache and Mourvedre, planted on the Plateau de la Crau.

The Telegramme is amazingly fresh and minerally for a Châteauneuf du Pape, with vibrant red fruit aromas, juicy berry flavours on the palate and layers of clove, star anise and pepper.