2015 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe • Châteauneuf-du-Pape • Blanc

Description

Vieux Télégraphe is one of the most renowned estates of the Southern Rhône. Vieux Télégraphe is a large estate and there are about 45 hectares of red grapevines planted, with an average age of around 55 years. Blessed with one of the finest locations in the area, the particularly hot microclimate is such that the Bruniers, owners of the estate for almost a century, are able to harvest as much as a week ahead of their neighbours. Vieux Télégraphe’s blend is a typical one, with Grenache accounting for around two thirds, the rest being made up of Syrah and Mourvèdre in roughly equal proportions, and a tiny bit of Cinsault.

While I’ve always loved the white from the Brunier brothers, the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc is the finest example of this cuvée I can remember tasting. It’s light gold color is followed by an impeccably balanced, ultra-pure, seamless white that has complex notes of white flowers, hazelnuts, just crushed rocks and citrus blossom. This beauty doesn’t hit you over the head with fruit or sweetness, yet grows on you with time in the glass. You can drink it today, as well as cellar it for two decades. [95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck – October 2016, robertparker.com]