Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘La Crau’ 2015

Daniel Brunier’s Vieux Télégraphe estate  is one of the most important in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, itself the most renowned area of the Southern Rhône.

La Crau itself is a barren, stony plateau, with nothing but galets roulés, or rounded stones, as far as the eye can see. The high elevation of this terrain prompted the construction of a communication tower in the late 18th century to transmit telegraph messages between Marseille and Paris- hence the name.

Grape-wise, it varies slightly from the usual, with a touch more Mourvèdre in the blend along with Grenache (which makes up roughly two-thirds), Syrah, Cinsault and a little Clairette.

This classic wine has superb aging potential.

David spent a day with Daniel a little while ago and was lucky enough to not only sample a few vintages in his cellars but also to enjoy an older vintage over lunch in a private dining room in a converted castle in the middle of La Crau.   It’s not all fun and games you know!