2017 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau [JS96][WE96][JD95][V94][WS94]

Producer: Domaine du Vieux 
Region: Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France 
Blend: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault
Year: 2017 

James Suckling, 96 Points 

"Immediately a sense of darker fruit in this vintage. The nose has closed up a little since tasting in barrel. It has some reserved, sanguine notes and an essence-like, raspberry core. Some stones and chalk here, too. Very long and focused palate. The grenache is singing here. Dense but soft and supple tannins, the product of thick, healthy skins. Best from 2025." 

Wine Enthusiast, 96 Points 

"Vieux Telegraphe is the iconic expression of La Crau, Châteauneuf-du-Pape's famed stony plateau, and this sumptuous, vibrant red is a classic bottling. A blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, it's packed with sultry black cherry and blackberry flavors edged by pepper and licorice. Fine, feathery tannins make it approachable in youth, but it's a wine that should improve through 2030 and hold longer still." 

Jeb Dunnuck, 95 Points 

"As always, the 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape sees a small amount of stems, and the blend is 60% Grenache, 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the rest an assortment of varieties. Red currants, lavender, salty minerality, nori, and plenty of peppery garrigue notes emerge from the glass. It's medium to full-bodied, has the sunny, sexy style of the vintage, yet also builds nicely on the palate, with ripe yet present tannins. It's going to require 4-5 years of bottle age to hit price time, but it will keep for two decades." 

Vinous, 94 Points 

"Brilliant ruby. Powerfully scented aromas of ripe raspberry, blueberry, potpourri and garrigue, along with an exotic spice nuance that builds as the wine opens up. Subtly chewy and expansive in the mouth, showing impressive energy to its intense, mineral-laced red and blue fruit preserve, candied lavender and spicecake flavors. Finishes sappy and impressively long, with resonating spice and floral notes and harmonious tannins adding gentle grip." 

Wine Spectator, 94 Points 

"Steeped red currant, plum and raspberry fruit splays out, while light lavender, black tea and singed juniper accents fill in. A juniper thread laces up the finish, lending definition while the fruit pumps through. Best from 2022 through 2040." 

Alcohol: 14.5% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.