Notify me
A Hedonistic Country Quaffer from Châteaneuf-du-Pape
A Hedonistic Country Quaffer from Châteaneuf-du-Pape
by Tom Wolf by Tom Wolf
2020 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”
2020 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”


Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
For decades, the Brunier brothers of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe have produced a world-class rouge from the southern Rhône Valley’s most prestigious appellation, Châteaneuf-du-Pape. With their Pigeoulet, they prove just as capable of mastering the hedonistic country quaffer, which teems with northern Provence’s most irresistible qualities: the succulent red and black fruit, stony core, hint of black olive, and garrigue.
The Bruniers farm the Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre that make up this cuvée on two distinct parcels: the first situated on the east side of the Rhône, near Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the second farther east, along the lower, southwest-facing slopes of Mont Ventoux. The Bruniers’ vast experience in crafting elegant reds in this southern climate is on full display in this bottling. This was a warm year in the region, but the ethereal Pigeoulet showcases remarkable finesse and drinkability. Pair it with roast chicken or lamb, or alongside an assortment of hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, black olives, and the freshest pita you can find.


Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Carignan, 5% Cinsault |
Appellation: | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Famille Brunier |
Winemaker: | Brunier Family |
Vineyard: | 25 years average, 10 ha |
Soil: | Clay with sandy alluvial deposits |
Aging: | Wine ages for 18 months in 50% cement tanks, 50% foudres |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

2021 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Papesse”
France | Southern Rhône
Elevation and abundant limestone combine to give taut, high-toned wines with delicate floral aromas and stimulating mineral freshness.

2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” MAGNUM
France | Southern Rhône
It is important to remember the heights that old-vine Grenache can reach when planted on arid, stony plateaus in the shadows of Mount Ventoux.

2024 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.

2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Cuvée de Lopy”
France | Southern Rhône
Stony and smoky, and full of garrigue and black cherry, it is an epic wine that opens up wonderfully now.

2024 Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge
France | Southern Rhône
We aimed for maximum drinkability: plenty of hedonistic purple-tinged fruit, along with a hint of wild herbs and lovely lavender and violet notes.

2024 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
France | Southern Rhône
A pure Syrah bottling offering wild flavors of the Provençal countryside gently wrapped in a thick coat of tooth-staining deep purple fruit.

2023 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”
France | Southern Rhône
This is about as quaffable as the region’s rouges get.

2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blanc “Le Pigeoulet”
France | Southern Rhône
The blend is equal parts Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Clairette. Together, they create a wine that has a complex mouth-feel that finishes with a nice refreshing acidity.

2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
France | Southern Rhône
The 2022 vintage drinks like something even more ethereal than you’d expect from a southern red.

2013 Gigondas “Les Racines”
France | Southern Rhône
Les Racines has a deep core of dark berry fruits, notes of licorice, or réglisse, and a concentrated texture that conveys power with silkiness.

About The Producer
Famille Brunier
Vignobles Brunier embodies the ensemble of the holdings by the Brunier family. Brothers Frédéric and Daniel are the fourth generation of their family to farm the land of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They have worked hard to solidify the legacy left by their father, Henri, and their great-grandfather, Hippolyte. In 1986, the family complemented their portfolio, offering more affordable cuvées that showcase the diversity of terroirs within their holdings. The “Pigeoulet” and “Mégaphone” are fresh, rich in fruit and easy to appreciate young. The red Châteauneuf “Piedlong”, sourced from the Piélong lieu-dit, is a profoundly mineral wine that balances elegance and purity with the muscle that is found in this great appellation.
More from Southern Rhône or France
2024 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2022 Tavel Rosé HALF BOTTLE
Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” MAGNUM
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2022 Gigondas “Racines”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras Blanc “Un Sang Blanc”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blanc “Le Pigeoulet”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2023 Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Contre Couleur”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2024 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2022 Tavel Rosé HALF BOTTLE
Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe | Southern Rhône
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” MAGNUM
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2022 Gigondas “Racines”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras Blanc “Un Sang Blanc”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blanc “Le Pigeoulet”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône
2023 Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Contre Couleur”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
Where the newsletter started

Where the newsletter started
Every three or four months I would send my clients a cheaply made list of my inventory, but it began to dawn on me that business did not pick up afterwards. It occurred to me that my clientele might not know what Château Grillet is, either. One month in 1974 I had an especially esoteric collection of wines arriving, so I decided to put a short explanation about each wine into my price list, to try and let my clients know what to expect when they uncorked a bottle. The day after I mailed that brochure, people showed up at the shop, and that is how these little propaganda pieces for fine wine were born.—Kermit Lynch