2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, La Crau, Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, Rhône

Vieux Télégraphe is one of the most renowned estates of the Southern Rhône, expertly managed by brothers Daniel and Frédéric Brunier. VT is a large estate with almost 70 hectares of red grapevines planted, most of them on the pebbly soils of the central Crau plateau, with an average age of around 55 years. Blessed with one of the finest terroirs in the area, this particularly hot microclimate often results in relatively early harvests and plenty of concentration in the musts. The 2001 is a typically powerful and persuasive wine from Daniel Brunier; indeed the wine is like the man, deeply passionate and extremely eloquent after one has penetrated an initial reserve. Le Crau yields wines which often take time to open up, and this is no exception, still dominated by the rich primary Grenache fruit. Indeed of the famous quartet of vintages from 1998-2001, I think that 2001 is my favourite. Its wines have firm acidity, distinct linearity and a confident finish. Behind the demure exterior is a benevolence and silky richness which will start to reveal itself very gradually, Salome-like. (Simon Field MW - BBR Buyer) The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau is gorgeous, structured, impressive.... A deep ruby/purple-tinged color is accompanied by a sweet perfume of salty sea breezes, seaweed, melted licorice, kirsch liqueur, creme de cassis, and iodine ... a classic Vieux-Telegraphe aromatic display. Powerful as well as firmly structured, this is a wine to lay away for 4-5 years. It should prove to be uncommonly long-lived, lasting a minimum of two decades. It gets my nod as the greatest Vieux-Telegraphe since the 1998. (robert_parker - Wine Advocate - Feb-2004)