Notify me
2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
Domaine du Vieux TélégrapheDaniel wrote to me after the bottling of the 2005: For me it is without a doubt the greatest vintage since 1998, and our third grand vintage in a row. If I had to choose my favorite three wines of the last three decades, I’d say 1978, 1998, and 2005. The color is deep and complex. The wine is at once pleasure, richness, depth, and freshness. The body is velvety and not at all aggressive. You smell the stones, the minerality, a smokiness, the magnificent old-vines Grenache fruit ... I believe that the tannins are better integrated than in any previous vintage. It is as pow-erful as any we’ve made, but more elegant, more noble. It is ageworthy. How long? A client brought us a superb 1933 Vieux Télégraphe the other day, so who knows.
Rich, ripe fruit, chewy flesh, and that telltale mineral finish make this vintage of VT perfect for enjoying right now.
**Extremely limited quantities, limit one bottle per order**
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2005 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 5% (Cinsault, Clairette, et al) |
Appellation: | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe |
Winemaker: | Frédéric & Daniel Brunier |
Vineyard: | 65 ha, 20 to 60 years |
Soil: | Alluvial deposits, Limestone, Silica, and Molasse (red clay) with galets roulés |
Aging: | Wine rests in cuves for 10 months, and then ages for another 12 months in foudres, wine is bottled unfiltered, after 22 months of aging |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône “Poignée de Raisins”
France | Southern Rhône
Serve this one cool, from a carafe, with a plain old burger—generously seasoned with herbes de Provence.
2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
France | Southern Rhône
The majesty of the La Crau vineyard is encapsulated in this wine. I can't think of a grander expression of Southern Rhone terroir to be enjoyed this winter.
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Contre Couleur”
France | Southern Rhône
Deep, dynamic Grenache feels aptly highlighted by bright and fresh Clairette. Soft and rich, yet still defined.
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “La Crau”
France | Southern Rhône
Clairette, an unsung hero of the south, is the main grape here, undoubtedly one of many key elements to this singular wine.
2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Télégramme”
France | Southern Rhône
This unfiltered bottling from the excellent 2020 vintage—a more classic, sun-filled year than that fateful 2002—is one of the best editions to date.
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète”
France | Southern Rhône
Clos La Roquète’s blanc is luscious, yet finishes nice and dry with striking acidity.
2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” HALF BOTTLE
France | Southern Rhône
It’s a gem, and you won’t be disappointed.
Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
France | Southern Rhône
Full-bodied yet delicate, infused with the joie de vivre of the south of France.
2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
France | Southern Rhône
The majesty of the La Crau vineyard is encapsulated in this wine. I can't think of a grander expression of Southern Rhone terroir.
2018 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” MAGNUM
France | Southern Rhône
Nothing says “life of the party” like a magnum of our best Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is the perfect pairing for your holiday roast!
About The Producer
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe
One cannot think of Châteauneuf-du-Pape without thinking of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. The Brunier family is legendary in its own right, having been rooted to the plateau known as La Crau for over a century. The wines of Vieux Télégraphe evoke terroir in its purest form, reflecting the dramatic climate, the rough terrain, the sun exposure at a high altitude, the typicity of the varietals, and of course, the influence of their caretakers, the Brunier family. For many, La Crau is Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s grandest cru. The wines of V.T. are classic, displaying strength, rusticity, and tremendous longevity. Their goal is to find a harmony between aromatic complexity, tannic structure, and richness, which they achieve year after year.
More from Southern Rhône or France
2019 Côtes du Vivarais Rouge
Domaine Gallety France | Southern Rhône
2020 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise HALF BOTTLE
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” HALF BOTTLE
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2022 Tavel Rosé MAGNUM
Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
NV Clairette de Die “Tradition”
Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône
2016 Cairanne
Domaine Catherine Le Gœuil France | Southern Rhône
2021 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Il Fait Soif”
Maxime-François Laurent France | Southern Rhône
2021 Gigondas “Les Racines”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète”
Frédéric & Daniel Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2022 Ventoux Rouge “Mégaphone”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2021 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2019 Côtes du Vivarais Rouge
Domaine Gallety France | Southern Rhône
2020 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise HALF BOTTLE
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” HALF BOTTLE
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2022 Tavel Rosé MAGNUM
Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
NV Clairette de Die “Tradition”
Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône
2016 Cairanne
Domaine Catherine Le Gœuil France | Southern Rhône
2021 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Il Fait Soif”
Maxime-François Laurent France | Southern Rhône
2021 Gigondas “Les Racines”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète”
Frédéric & Daniel Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2022 Ventoux Rouge “Mégaphone”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2021 Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211