Vieux Télégraphe

Vieux Télégraphe, situated on the famed La Crau plateau in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in the Southern Rhône Valley, is celebrated for its distinctive terroir. The Bruniers, who began cultivating the land in 1898, now manage 70 hectares here. The plateau's galets roulés (pudding stones) absorb and re-radiate the sun’s heat, creating a warm microclimate that supports even grape ripening. The underlying clay subsoil helps counterbalance excess heat by maintaining vine hydration and coolness, while the altitude and exposure to the Mistral wind protect against disease and frost.

The 2021 vintage at Vieux Télégraphe faced challenges with flash frost affecting the region, though the estate largely escaped the worst damage. Despite some impact on Pallières, the main vineyards, including La Crau, emerged relatively unscathed. The year saw a slight drop in yields, with overall production down by around 30%. Winemaker Daniel Brunier characterised the vintage as classic, noting its freshness and balance. The later harvest contributed to a concentration of flavours, and Brunier anticipates that the wines will reveal exciting developments as they age.

Besides their Châteauneuf-du-Pape holdings, the Brunier family also owns Domaine des Pallières in Gigondas, where they experienced fewer issues from frost and rainfall. Daniel Brunier is particularly proud of the 2021 vintage here, describing the wines as pure, linear, and well-balanced with moderate alcohol levels. He considers the Racines cuvée among his finest achievements, highlighting the estate’s commitment to quality and finesse across their properties.