2010 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau

Vivid ruby. Intense red fruit and floral aromas are complicated by notes of anise, allspice and minerals. Sappy and incisive on the palate, offering pliant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and an exotic lavender pastille quality. Becomes livelier and spicier with air and finishes with supple tannins, outstanding clarity and noteworthy persistence.

The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is made from 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah and Mourvedre, all from the famed lieu-dit Les Pialons, which is located only a few miles from Vieux Telegraphe’s La Crau, although it is normally harvested at least 15 days later than La Crau (an extraordinary illustration of the difference in micro-climates in a compact area such as Chateauneuf du Pape). The deep, rich, dark ruby/purple-tinged 2010 does not compare to the magnificent 2007, but it is a top-tier wine that was aged 18 months in concrete tanks. Abundant raspberry, kirsch, lavender and spice box characteristics are present in this beauty. Enjoy it over the next 15 or more years. Starting in 2011, there will only be one white and one red wine from Domaine La Roquete, called l’Accent de la Roquete. Moreover, it will only represent about 2,500 cases from the estate’s oldest vines, located in the two lieux-dits of Pialons and Pignan. The balance of the fruit will be co-mingled with the declassified wine from Vieux Telegraphe into the Telegramme as both Daniel and Frederic Brunier want to build up the reputation and seriousness of Telegramme. Therefore, 2010 is the last vintage where one will see both a La Roquete Chateauneuf du Pape as well as the l’Accent de la Roquete Chateauneuf du Pape. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524