Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape "La Crau" 2017 [1.5L MAGNUM]
(Rhone Valley, France) - [JS 96] [AG 94-95] [WS 94] [RP 92-94]

Notes from the Winemaker:
This classic opens with a voluptuous aroma that gives and gives it is striking because of its charm and floral notes. How many Chateauneufs can boast of those two traits?

LOCATION: the stony Plateau de la Crau, in the south-east of the appellation, where the villages of Badarrides, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Courthézon meet.

AREA: 160.5 acres.
SOIL AND SUBSOIL: molasse from the Miocene epoch (1-1.5m in depth) sitting on a thick layer of clay with high stone content, and covered by the pebble blanket of Alpine diluvium generally known as “galets roulés”.

VINE AGE: 65 years on average.

MATURATION: 20-22 months in French oak foudres (60hl). Bottled unfined and unfiltered, then released at 2 years.

PERSONALITY AND AGEING: a classic red Chateauneuf-du-Pape, very fine and elegant. The best vintages will age for 25 years and more.

 

96 Points - James Suckling:
"Immediately a sense of darker fruit in this vintage. The nose has closed up a little since tasting in barrel. It has some reserved, sanguine notes and an essence-like, raspberry core. Some stones and chalk here, too. Very long and focused palate. The grenache is singing here. Dense but soft and supple tannins, the product of thick, healthy skins. Best from 2025." - (3 Oct, 2019)

94-95 Points - Vinous:
"Full shimmering ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe boysenberry, Chambord and Asian spices, and a sexy floral nuance gains strength with air. Sweet and seamless on the palate, displaying a suave blend of power and delicacy to the concentrated red and blue fruit, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors. Shows impressive energy and a mineral quality on the gently tannic, penetrating finish, which hangs on with strong, floral-driven tenacity." Josh Raynolds - (Dec 2019)

94 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"Steeped red currant, plum and raspberry fruit splays out, while light lavender, black tea and singed juniper accents fill in. A juniper thread laces up the finish, lending definition while the fruit pumps through. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,700 cases imported." - JM (Issue Web Only - 2020)

92-94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Slated to be bottled less than a week after my visit, the final blend of the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau is fresh, vibrant and zesty, with notes of roses, tea, raspberries and blood oranges. Full-bodied yet diaphanous and silky, it doesn't appear to have the richness of either the 2016 or 2018." - Joe Czerwinski (30th Aug 2019)