Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, 'La Crau', Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, 2021

Overview of the Wine
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.

Winemaker: Frédéric & Daniel Brunier 

Grape / Blend
70% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre

Origin
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
A wonderful wine! The palate is in perfect harmony with the nose, with fine elegant red fruits and a bouquet of spice, along with slight garrigue undertones, and tannins that ooze finesse. 2021 breaks the series of series of sunny vintages since 2015, which has resulted in a beautiful balancing freshness to the wine giving an equilibrium that will enable a long ageing process.

95 Points - James Suckling
Fresh forest berry, savory and wet earth aromas are married to a lovely freshness and fine tannins on the lively medium- to full-bodied palate. Very elegant finish that teases you with all its subtle nuances. A cuvee of 70% grenache, 15% syrah and 15% mourvedre.

92-94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Still in tank when I visited in June 2023, the 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau features scents of crushed stone accenting ripe cherries and hints of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, it offers taut acids allied to silky tannins and ample length on the finish.

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The Grand Vin from this great estate, the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape reveals a semi-opaque ruby hue to go with a classic style in its ripe red and black berry fruits, peppery garrigue, leather, earth, black olive, and baking spice-driven aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, and balanced, with fine tannins, it's a beautiful wine in the vintage that should have 15 years of longevity.

93 Points - Vinous
The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Crau is made from Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc. It presents lively aromas of grapefruit, spring flowers, white peach and a pinch of mango. This medium-bodied wine hits the palate with excellent flavor concentration and crisp acidity, finishing bright and juicy.

Product size: 750ml