2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, La Crau, Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, Rhône
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
Ready - at best
Product: 20091118076
Description
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette are blended here with a little extra Mourvèdre in deference to the quality of the vintage. The mouthfeel has something of the intensity of 2005, perhaps because of the additional Mourvèdre, but the overall impression is closer to the outstanding 2007: rounded, fine and long. Herbs and licorice, bay and spice, all vie for attention in this classic Vieux Télégraphe with enormous ageing potential.
Daniel Brunier is very happy with the quality of his 2009s; the conspiracy of nature was entirely benevolent with a cold winter, a cleansing Mistral and gentle rain all following the director’s script, followed by a hot August and good harvest conditions. He counsels patience, however, given the small thick-skinned berries. Their concomitant low yields and the resulting natural concentration make these wines for the long term. 2009 he sees as riper, richer and more impressive of colour than 2007. Praise indeed! The great vintages of 1990 and 1998 offer the closest comparison.
Daniel Brunier is very happy with the quality of his 2009s; the conspiracy of nature was entirely benevolent with a cold winter, a cleansing Mistral and gentle rain all following the director’s script, followed by a hot August and good harvest conditions. He counsels patience, however, given the small thick-skinned berries. Their concomitant low yields and the resulting natural concentration make these wines for the long term. 2009 he sees as riper, richer and more impressive of colour than 2007. Praise indeed! The great vintages of 1990 and 1998 offer the closest comparison.
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2009
Maturity Ready - at best
Body Full Bodied
Producer Vieux Télégraphe
About this wine
Vieux Telegraphe
Vieux Télégraphe is one of the most renowned estates in the Southern Rhône. Blessed with the finest locations in the area on the famed La Crau plateau, there is an emphasis on terroir expression and natural winemaking. The Bruniers, who own the property, started their love affair with La Crau in 1898 and on which they now own 70ha. This plateau – a Grand Cru equivalent in Châteauneuf-du-Pape – is so reputed for several reasons. Firstly, its galets roules (pudding stones) that re-emit the heat of the sun, producing a warm microclimate ideal for even berry ripening. Beneath these lies a subsoil of clay, which counters excess heat by keeping the vines hydrated and cool. Finally, at 120m altitude, it sits higher than surrounding areas. This brings exposure to wind (notably the Mistral), which again keeps the vines cool and free from diseases (and occasionally frost).
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The largest and most important appellation in the southern Rhône, with more than 3,200 hectares of vineyards and over 80 growers, Châteauneuf-du-Pape produces more wine than the whole of the northern Rhône combined. The gloriously rich red wines, redolent of the heat and herbs of the south, are enhanced by the complexity which comes from blending several of the 14 permitted grape varieties including Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah.
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