Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau Rouge 2020

The bouquet is marked by plum fruits, raspberry airs with plentiful mixed herbs, thyme, lavender, licorice; the palate swoops in well on the attack, is full of beans with a good filling of tight, smoky, mineral content. Its tannins are energised, busy – this is long and properly fuelled, a real child of the garrigue, a good wild side to it. The aftertaste produces iron-blood, rocky fissure influences. It has strong character, like its galet stone covered plateau.

Critical Acclaim

97 James Suckling

This amazing Chateauneuf-du-Pape squares the circle of southern richness and spring-like freshness in spite of coming from a very warm and dry vintage. The stony minerality, saltiness and dried flower character wind together to form a dynamic whole, driving this gracefully across the palate. But I must also mention the savory and licorice richness that is so deftly wrapped around them. Very long, salty and velvety finish.

95 Wine Advocate

Tasted as a tank sample of the final blend, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau is a blend of approximately 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvdre, 15% Syrah and 5% other permitted varieties, with about 30% whole bunches used in the ferments. Marked by ripe cherries and hints of complex garrigue notes on the nose, it’s full-bodied but also really elegant, with fine-grained, silky tannins, ample concentration and a long, surprisingly crisp finish.

94 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Chteauneuf Du Pape also showed well, with a lighter, elegant style that still brings plenty of intensity. Black cherries, mulberries, dried violets, and loamy earth define the bouquet, and it’s medium-bodied, balanced, and finesse-driven on the palate, with ripe tannins as well as a terrific sense of salinity on the finish. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+.

94 Vinous

The 2020 Chteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau was vinified from partially de-stemmed grapes and aged in foudre. The 2020 La Crau displays pronounced aromas of rose petals, redcurrant, red and black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and hints of smoke. Full-bodied, refined and built like a brick wall, it will reward bottle age.

94 Wine Spectator

In Chteauneuf-du-Pape, theres one vineyard that stands above the rest: the plateau of La Crau, covered in round stones (galets rouls). Domaine du Vieux Tlgraphe is the largest landowner in this coveted lieu-dit. Named for the signal tower that was used in the 18th century to telegraph messages, Vieux Tl (as its affectionately known) has been run by the Brunier family for six generations. Many Chteauneufs are blockbusters in power and alcohol, but the Brunier style is famously elegant and savory. Sourced from 60- to 110-year-old vines, the flagship 2020 red offers charming, old-school appeal, impressive depth and a long life ahead.