Description

Vieux Télégraphe 2017 La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
65% Grenache Noir, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, Clairette, other  | Alc: 14.5% – Smooth & Supple
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, France

Télégraphe 2017 La Crau CdP Rouge – 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.

Critical Acclaim:
“Slated to be bottled less than a week after my visit, the final blend of the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau is fresh, vibrant and zesty, with notes of roses, tea, raspberries and blood oranges.” 92-94 Points – The Wine Advocate

“Immediately a sense of darker fruit in this vintage. The nose has closed up a little since tasting in barrel. It has some reserved, sanguine notes and an essence-like, raspberry core. Some stones and chalk here, too. Very long and focused palate. The grenache is singing here. Dense but soft and supple tannins, the product of thick, healthy skins. Best from 2025.” 96 Points – James Suckling

“As always, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape sees a small amount of stems, and the blend is 60% Grenache, 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the rest an assortment of varieties. Red currants, lavender, salty minerality, nori, and plenty of peppery garrigue notes emerge from the glass. It’s medium to full-bodied, has the sunny, sexy style of the vintage, yet also builds nicely on the palate, with ripe yet present tannins. It’s going to require 4-5 years of bottle age to hit price time, but it will keep for two decades.” 95 pts – Jeb Dunnuck

Winery

Tipsy Knitter Wines – Your Seattle based, online wine shop