2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong

From the plateau of Piedlong and a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre that was only 50% destemmed, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Piedlong offers a sexy bouquet of ripe strawberries, herbes de Provence, licorice, and garrigue that has plenty of sweet fruit and charm. Showing lots of minerality on the palate, medium to full-bodied, a rounded, layered texture, and a great finish, drink it over the coming 15 years or more. In the Brunier family since 1898, Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe lies on the eastern edge of Châteauneuf du Pape and covers 60 hectares of some of the finest terroir out there, the famed la Crau plateau. Looking at the winemaking, the estate has destemmed all their grapes since 1989 and the wines see all native ferments, with no temperature control, and aging all in older foudre. In addition, due to the recent completion of a new state of the art winery, the grapes are now moved only by gravity. While 2016 was an incredible vintage for this estate, they’ve produced brilliant wines in both 2017 and 2018. Lovers of elegant, classical Châteauneuf du Pape, both red and white, can’t wrong with this estate.

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong is roughly 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. I tasted the final blend just two weeks prior to its scheduled bottling. Roses, dried spices, cherries and strawberries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is fresh, vibrant and silky in texture, with a long finish.

A blend of 90% grenache for the Piedlong section and 10% mourvedre from the Pignan section, both old-vine parcels. The wild herbs and dried, wild red flowers and roses here are really something, together with grilled meat. Rich and succulent, very fleshy and intense. Drink or hold.