In the glass
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.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 1898 — Hippolyte Brunier plants vines on La Crau plateau
- 1950 — Estate grows significantly; La Crau wines bottled under the Vieux Telegraphe name
- 1985 — Daniel and Frederic Brunier take over; international recognition follows
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe
- 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.