Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, 2023

Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau is a classic red Châteauneuf-du-Pape, very fine and elegant. The best vintages will age for 25 years and more.

Blend: 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 5% Other Varieties

Professional Ratings

James Suckling 97 Points
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.

Decanter 96 Points
Full, generous and broad. Acids are bright and vibrant, and there’s a fine but dense weft of tannins through the wine. Great energy and salinity this year, this is particularly fine and balanced, with plenty of concentration and a long finish. All from La Crau and fermented in tronconic wood barrels. Élevage in foudre. Oldest Grenache bunches aren’t destemmed.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 95 Points
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.
Barrel Sample: 93-95

Wine Spectator 94 Points
This shows a lot of aromatic appeal, with dusty earth and singed incense notes covering a well of fresh cherry and red currant flavors. A gutsy, grippy style on the palate, with a cast iron spine bringing firm shape and underlying power. Slightly old-school, this still needs time to unfurl. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault.

Vinous 94 Points
The 2020 Châteauneuf-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.