Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Aciditymedium
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 5 to 25 years from vintage.
vintage5 yrs25 yrs27 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: blackberry jam, kirsch, smoked meat, garrigue, white pepper

Palate: dark fruit, olive tapenade, leather, dried fig, firm mineral finish

The benchmark galets roules Chateauneuf from La Crau plateau: dark, rich Grenache-led blend with smoked meat, olive, and garrigue complexity on a full, mineral frame.

What it pairs with

  • Provencal daube with olives
    The wine's olive and garrigue notes mirror the slow-braised beef stew.
  • Roasted lamb shoulder
    Grenache-led, full-bodied structure handles fat-rich lamb excellently.
  • Duck confit
    Rich, smoked-meat aromatics are a natural match for confit.
  • Aged Languedoc tomme
    Firm tannins cut through hard sheep's-milk cheese.

How to serve Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Provencal daube with olives, Roasted lamb shoulder, Duck confit. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The Brunier family has farmed the La Crau lieu-dit since 1898, one of the highest and stoniest plateaux in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The galets roules (large rounded stones) retain heat and reflect it onto the vines, accelerating ripening. Vieux Telegraphe is named after the old Chappe telegraph tower on the hill.

  1. 1898: Hippolyte Brunier plants vines on La Crau plateau
  2. 1950: Estate grows significantly; La Crau wines bottled under the Vieux Telegraphe name
  3. 1985: Daniel and Frederic Brunier take over; international recognition follows

Facts

Producer
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe · visiting guide
Grapes
Grenache (65%), Mourvedre (15%), Syrah (15%), Cinsault (5%)
Classification
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Oak
18 months in large old foudres
ABV
14.5%
Price
EUR 55-90 at retail
Drinking window
5-25 from vintage
First vintage
1898
Organic
ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge

What does Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge taste like?

On the nose, blackberry jam, kirsch, smoked meat, garrigue, white pepper. On the palate, dark fruit, olive tapenade, leather, dried fig, firm mineral finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. The benchmark galets roules Chateauneuf from La Crau plateau: dark, rich Grenache-led blend with smoked meat, olive, and garrigue complexity on a full, mineral frame.

When should I drink Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge?

Drink 5-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge?

Provencal daube with olives is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roasted lamb shoulder and Duck confit. The wine's olive and garrigue notes mirror the slow-braised beef stew.

What grapes are in Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge?

The blend is Grenache (65%), Mourvedre (15%), Syrah (15%), Cinsault (5%). The wine is classified as Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC.

Tags

cellar worthy cinsault dry firm tannin full body grenache iconic medium acid mood contemplative mood elegant mood rustic mourvedre occasion cellar occasion dinner party occasion special old vines old world organic pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat price premium still red syrah

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