Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe
Access to wines available for saleDomaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Family tradition at the top of La Crau
Among the legendary names of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe holds a privileged place. Since 1891, the Brunier family has upheld a winemaking tradition of rare precision. This iconic estate draws its identity from the La Crau plateau—an emblematic terroir in the south of the appellation—and from its unwavering commitment to producing wines of absolute integrity, reminiscent of the great classics of the Southern Rhône.
A family story since 1891
The Vieux Télégraphe adventure began in the late 19th century when Hippolyte Brunier planted his first vines on La Crau. Today, Frédéric and Daniel Brunier, the sixth generation of winemakers, continue the family legacy with the same discipline. Over time, the estate has become a symbol of authenticity, terroir loyalty, and uncompromising expression.
La Crau Plateau: an exceptional terroir
Vieux Télégraphe’s vineyards span more than 70 hectares, all located on the La Crau plateau—one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most celebrated terroirs. This unique soil, made up of a thick layer of rounded pebbles atop red sandy clay, lends the wines a singular, almost saline minerality. The dry climate, constantly swept by the mistral wind, ensures optimal ripeness and impeccable health of the grapes.
The average vine age exceeds 60 years, with some parcels planted in the 1940s. These deeply rooted old vines produce exceptionally concentrated grapes, forming the backbone of wines built for long aging.
An inimitable style: purity, structure, and longevity
Vieux Télégraphe’s style is founded on a clear vision: expressing the terroir without artifice. Harvesting is manual, grapes are meticulously sorted, and fermentations occur naturally. The wines age for nearly two years in large oak foudres, with no new wood, in order to preserve the purity of the fruit and the wine’s mineral backbone.
The result is a dense yet vertical wine with good acidity, firm tannins and a complex aromatic profile: ripe red fruit, garrigue, licorice, warm stone and floral touches. Vieux Télégraphe rouge is renowned for its exceptional ageing potential. Vintages such as 1989, 1990, 2005, 2010, 2016 and 2020 are sought after by collectors worldwide.
The estate’s wines
Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red
A majestic and distinctive Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This grand red wine is the flagship of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Sourced from the famed La Crau plateau, it powerfully reflects the strength of its terroir. Predominantly Grenache, blended with Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, and Clairette rouge, this wine stands out for its depth, precision, and remarkable aging capacity.
Typical blend
65% Grenache – Intensity, fruit, and elegance
15% Mourvèdre – Structure and complexity
15% Syrah – Freshness and tension
5% Other traditional varieties – Harmony and balance
Tasting notes
Nose: Aromas of garrigue, black cherry, sweet spices, and licorice
Palate: Concentrated, vertical, with fine tannins and a saline finish
Aging potential: 15 to 30 years depending on the vintage
Food pairings
Ideal with grilled ribeye, hare stew, or aged cheeses
Télégramme Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red
A charming, expressive second wine
From the young vines of the estate and parcels at the base of the slopes, Télégramme is a more immediate and gourmand interpretation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Meant to be enjoyed young, it still reflects the La Crau terroir and the structured style of the Brunier family.
Typical blend
80% Grenache – Fruitiness, roundness, intensity
10% Mourvèdre – Depth and structure
6% Syrah – Freshness and spice
4% Cinsault – Softness and brightness
Tasting notes
Nose: Ripe cherry, garrigue, Provençal herbs, and black pepper
Palate: Ample and silky, with smooth tannins and a persistent finish
Aging potential: 5 to 10 years; enjoyable now or after a few years in cellar
Food pairings
Ideal with lamb tagine, roasted guinea fowl, or vegetable gratin
Piedlong Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red
A refined Châteauneuf-du-Pape born from sandy soils
Piedlong is a single-parcel cuvée from the lieu-dit of the same name, located north of the village on sandy soils. It offers a more delicate and elegant version of Grenache, where fruit purity takes precedence over power. A wine of finesse, brightness, and great drinkability.
Typical blend
90% Grenache – Purity, floral notes, length
10% Mourvèdre – Tension and complexity
Tasting notes
Nose: Wild strawberry, orange peel, peony, dried herbs
Palate: Fine and precise, with silky tannins and vibrant acidity
Aging potential: 10 to 15 years, evolving gracefully with time
Food pairings
Perfect with pork tenderloin, game terrine, or light Provençal cuisine
Clos La Roquète Châteauneuf-du-Pape white
A racy, taut, and luminous white
Clos La Roquète is a rare cuvée produced by the Brunier family on limestone soils west of the appellation. It represents a more vertical and focused expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites. This wine captivates with its brightness, purity, and minerality, offering excellent gastronomic and aging potential.
Typical blend
40% Clairette – Tension and precision
30% Roussanne – Creaminess and depth
30% Grenache Blanc – Volume and radiance
Tasting notes
Nose: Acacia blossom, fresh pear, anise, and a touch of wet stone
Palate: Saline and structured, with great freshness and a persistent finish
Aging potential: 8 to 15 years, delicious young or after cellaring
Food pairings
Pairs beautifully with sauced fish, scallops, or free-range poultry with morels
Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape white
A great gastronomic white, complex and mineral
Produced in small quantities, Vieux Télégraphe Blanc embodies the elegance of southern whites. From old vines planted on the limestone plateau of La Crau, this wine stands out for its sculpted structure, aromatic depth, and remarkable freshness. Its aging potential makes it a true collector’s white.
Typical blend
40% Clairette – Tension and finesse
30% Grenache Blanc – Volume and generosity
20% Bourboulenc – Freshness and minerality
10% Roussanne – Complexity and creaminess
Tasting notes
Nose: White flowers, pear, quince, and warm stone
Palate: Dense and energetic, with a saline core and long finish
Aging potential: 10 to 20 years depending on the vintage, with remarkable evolution
Food pairings
Perfect with roasted turbot, creamy poultry, or truffle risotto
Notable vintages
Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge has shone in particularly successful vintages:
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2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
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En white : 2011, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022
The wine ages gracefully. Older vintages like 1990, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2010 reveal rare tertiary complexity.
Where to buy Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe wines
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe cuvées, including Vieux Télégraphe rouge 2020, Vieux Télégraphe blanc 2021, Télégramme rouge 2021, are available for purchase at The Best Vintage, online or in the boutique. Rare formats such as magnums, jeroboams and old vintages are also available.