Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2021

Located on the stony Plateau de la Crau, in the south-east of the Châteauneuf-Du-Pape appellation, where the villages of Bédarrides, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Courthézon meet. The unique soil and subsoil are made of molasse from the Miocene epoch (1-1.5m in depth) sitting on a thick layer of clay with high stone content. All of which is covered by the pebble blanket of Alpine diluvium generally known as “galets roulés” the distinctive round river rocks. Taking up 123.5 acres, they grow 65% Grenache Noir, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, Cinsault, Clairette and others make up the remaining 5%.

Whether their team of vignerons are labouring on the hot Plateau of La Crau, in the lieux-dits of Pignan, La Roquète and Piedlong, or on the cold steep slopes in the district of Les Pallières, they are driven all year round by the conviction that the grapes should be able to thrive and be picked in the best possible conditions. Fine fruit is essential for a fine vintage. To achieve this, they are quick to tailor each task to each parcel of vines: for instance, pruning, the spreading of organic manure and traditional ploughing are winter chores that may seem straightforward at first glance, but in fact demand great care. In springtime and summer, the same applies for the debudding, done by hand, and the removal of surplus unripe grapes and surplus leaves; balance is everything, and practically each vine enjoys its own care.

The Plateau of La Crau viens are 70 years old on average. For red wine vinification they start with hand-picked grapes, with double sorting at the vine, sorting a third time in the winery. Gentle pressing and selective destemming, is followed by 30-40 days’ traditional fermentation in temperature–controlled stainless-steel and wooden vats. Pneumatic pressing, followed by systematic malolactic fermentation.  The last stage is maturation, 20-22 months in French oak foudres (60hl). Bottled unfined and unfiltered, then released at 2 years. These are classic red Châteauneuf-du-Pape, fine and elegant. The best vintages will age for 25 years and more.