Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe, Chateauneuf du Pape: Best Wines, Terroir

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe is an esteemed family-owned winery in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation in Rhone valley, France.

Founded in 1898 by Hippolyte Brunier, the Vieux Telegraphe estate is now run by the sixth generation of the Brunier family. 

It produces the eponymous red Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe (the flagship wine), the white wine Télégraphe Blanc, a second wine, Télégramme, and more.

Explore these classic wine styles of Vieux Telegraphe, six best vintages, and take a peek into its terroir and winemaking process.

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe: Wine Styles And Tasting Notes

The Vieux Telegraphe red wines are a blend of the classic Rhone grape varieties Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.

The white wines are made from Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Bourboulenc grapes.

Here are the major wines produced by Domaine Vieux Telegraphe:

• Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Rogue La Crau: Produced from the fruit of the La Crau vineyard, the Grand Vin exhibits rich dark red fruit and spicy aromas.
• Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc La Crau: This delicate white wine has intense lemon curd, white flowers, and pear notes with a distinct salty minerality.
• Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape ‘Telegramme’: Made from young vines,this second-label red offers fruity and brambly aromas with spicy nuances.
• Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong: The full-bodied red wine reflects the brilliant terroir of the Piedlong Plateau.
• Chateauneuf du Pape Clos La Roquète Blanc: Bottled under the Domaine La Roquete label (acquired by Vignobles Brunier in 1986), this white wine has fruity and citrus notes with minerality from the terroir.

Ready to try some exceptional Vieux Telegraphe wines for yourself?

6 Best Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Vintages to Buy in 2023

Experience the best of Chateauneuf du Pape through these Vieux Telegraphe wines:

1. 1978 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau ($394)
2. 2017 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau ($89)
3. 2012 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau Blanc ($98)
4. 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape Telegramme ($55)
5. 2011 Famille Brunier Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong ($69)
6. 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète” ($47)

1. 1978 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau ($394)

This Chateauneuf du Pape wine opens with an intense nose of darker fruit (cherry and plum), dried herbs, and warm spices. The palate is deep with powdery tannins and refreshing acidity. 

2. 2017 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau ($89)

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape vintage has enticing aromas of black tea, garrigue, and vanilla. The wine has a rich mouthfeel with flavors of tobacco and juniper berries on the palate.

3. 2012 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau Blanc ($98)

The fragrant white wine has bright honeysuckle and richer yellow apple aromas with lemon curd and verbena flavors on the palate. The full-bodied wine is crisp and refreshing with a structure like red wine.

4. 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape Telegramme ($55)

This delightfully aromatic red wine opens with complex scents of ripe fruit, lavender, and spices. Cherry, blackberry, and raspberry dominate the palate. The intense wine is textured and has a long, satisfying finish. 

5. 2011 Famille Brunier Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong ($69)

This stunning red wine has a sharp nose of red plums, cherry, roses, and white pepper. The wine is concentrated on the palate with medium tannin and refreshing acidity.

6. 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète” ($47)

The luxurious white wine has well-rounded fruit notes of pear and melon. The palate is full and ripe with a creamy texture.

How To Serve Vieux Telegraphe Wine (Including Food Pairings)

These Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe wine is best served at 15oC-18oC with meaty dishes (like roast chicken, pork, and beef), mushrooms, eggplant, tomatoes, and cheese.

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe: Terroir and Winemaking

The flagship red and white wines are produced from the fruit of brilliant vine plantings in the towering plateau of La Crau in the Southern Rhone.

The stony terroir and red clay soils of the appellation add brilliant complexity to the grapes which gives the Vieux Telegraphe wines its distinct minerality and depth.

Besides Chateauneuf du Pape, Brunier also owns and produces wines from vineyard sites in the Gigondas and Ventoux AOC. 

Vieux Telegraphe wines are crafted using traditional winemaking techniques.

After selective de-stemming, each grape varietal is transferred to steel or wooden vats and left to ferment for 30-40 days. 

The young and old vines are fermented separately.

Post malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in a French oak foudre for 20-22 months and is bottled without refining or filtering.

Add The Finest of Chateauneuf du Pape Wine To Your Collection

The hearty, refined wines of Vieux Telegraphe reflect the essence of the challenging Chateauneuf du Pape terroir.

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe wines are quite popular among American wine connoisseurs, and vintages like the 2004 and 2006 reds or the 2010 whites, are especially sought-after by the investors.

Visit the Vinovest website to invest in an authentic bottle of Vieux Telegraphe and other investment-worthy wines now.