Chateauneuf du Pape Vieux Telegraphe 2006

Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2006 is a full-bodied, blended red wine from the southern Rhône Valley. Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is a family owned and operated estate and is one of the preeminent producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Though one of the largest landowners in the region, they only produce three red and two white wines, of which this is unquestionably the flagship. It is a traditionally styled wine usually comprised of around 65% Grenache Noir, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault and 10% Syrah from 70-year-old vines in the prime lieu-dit of La Crau. "The 2006 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape, which is aged only in foudre and bottled with minimal clarification, is a more masculine, muscular effort than most 2006s. Its dark ruby/purple colour is followed by notions of the sushi seaweed wrapper, nori, interwoven with incense, lavender, pepper, and copious quantities of black cherry and raspberry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with moderate tannin, and good structure as well as depth, it will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age, and should keep for 15 or more years." Robert Parker, 2007