94-95 Points - James Suckling. A benchmark for Châteauneuf du Pape, the Vieux Télégraphe has been run by the Brunier family for five generations, since 1891. The flagship of the great estate is the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape and it could quite possibly be one of the longest lived wines in the 2018 vintage, which in general, is a charming, forward vintage geared for consumption in the first decade of life. 

Vivino Rating: 4.4 (Oct 2024)

Wine Press Ratings

94-95 Points - James Suckling

"The finished blend that is now aging another year in 60 hectoliter barrels, this has a very fleshy, round, rich and smooth-honed palate that has such completeness already. The raspberries and red plums are stunning here. The tannins are there and very open-knit and theres a super sapid feel to the finish. The 15% mourvedre does much of the heavy lifting here. It shapes the finish and drags it deep. Around one-third from crushed grapes with stems. Drinkable on release, but best from 2024."

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

"The flagship of the great estate is the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape and it could quite possibly be one of the longest lived wines in the 2018 vintage, which in general, is a charming, forward vintage geared for consumption in the first decade of life. Revealing a more ruby, almost translucent color as well as a greal perfume of wild strawberries, blackberries, Asian spices, peppery garrigue, and flowers, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a building, undeniable sense of minerality, plenry of mid-palate depth, and enough tannins to warrant 2-3 years or bottle age. lt has the more upfront, expressive style of the vintage yet my money is on this evolving for 15-20 years."

94 Points - The Wine Cellar Insider

"The sweet, juicy, peppery kirsch on the palate hits the spot. Opulent, silky, and fresh with peppery black raspberries, herbs, and spice, along with green olives and crushed rocks, the wine is drinking quite well at the moment. But as good as it is, it is only going to get better from here, Produced from a blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault, along with other, assorted red and white grape varieties. 60-70% of the harvest is destemmed. Drink from 2022-2035."

Tasting Notes

"Full shimmering ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe boysenberry, Chambord and Asian spices, and a sexy floral nuance gains strength with air. Sweet and seamless on the palate, displaying a suave blend of power and delicacy to the concentrated red and blue fruit, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors. Shows impressive energy and a mineral quality on the gently tannic, penetrating finish, which hangs on with a strong, floral-driven tenacity." - Vinous 

About the Producer

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe has been run by the Brunier family for five generations, and since 1891. The estates vineyards are situated on the famous Plateau de la Crau the stony terrace where there is nothing but galets roulés, or rounded stones, as far as the eye can see. This special terroir imparts a highly distinctive minerality to the wines. Vieux Télégraphe is made from predominantly three grape varieties, 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre plus 5% Cinsault and Clairette. In their state-of-the-art gravity flow winery, the grapes are partially destemmed and are fermented in both stainless steel and wood cuves. The blending is done at the end of June after which the wine is matured in large foudres for 20 months. The red wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered and display tremendous concentration and intense flavours of dark cherry and garrigue. The best vintages will age for 20 years and more.