The producer
Half of Vieux Telegraphee’s 100 hectares is in the exceptional lieu-dit of ‘La Crau’ – unofficially the grand cru of the area – which was purchased by the estate’s owner Henri Brunier as virgin woodland in 1891. Vineyards are farmed organically, and the vines in La Crau are now from 70 to 100 years old.
Vieux Telegraph makes several wines from their vineyards not only in Chateauneuf but also in Gigondas, Ventoux and beyond, in fact all the way to Lebanon. But La Crau is where they draw their cuvee Classique which is indeed a classic stye of Chateauneuf, among the very best of the appellation. Vieux Telegraphe is usually a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah and is allowed to mature for 9 months in concrete vats followed by a period in large old foudres – a regime which allows the terroir and the fruit quality to shine.
The wine
The stony La Crau plateau, in the southeast of the appellation, is where Vieux Telegraphe source their cuvee Classique which is among the very best of the appellation. Vieux Telegraphe is usually a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah and the vines are on average around 70 years old. Fermentation is followed by a very long maceration and then the wine is left to mature for 9 months in concrete vats followed by a period in large old foudres – a regime which allows the terroir and the fruit quality to shine, in a wine of immense minerality, fruit concentration and refined tannic structure.
