Rhône Theme
Timed Online Auction, 2 - 12 February 2024
Rhône | International & South African offering
About the SessionThe first sale of the 2024 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction calendar is an exciting Rhône valley and Rhône-style offering and has fast-become one of the most popular at Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auctions.
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About this Item
The most famous of southern Rhône wine regions, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the estate of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe are inexorably linked. The Brunier family has a deep connection to the famed plateau of La Crau, going back over one hundred years. For many, La Crau is of grand cru status and Vieux Télégraphe honours this hallowed ground by consistently encapsulating the terroir in its wines, which are classic in style and demonstrate wonderful concentration, rusticity and tremendous ageing potential. From their first vintage in 1900 by founder Hippolyte Brunier, their wines have evolved over time, gaining in balance and refinement. The estate has also grown in that time, now with 65 hectares of vineyard under the ownership and care of Hippolyte’s great-grandsons, Daniel and Frédéric. Named after an old radio signal tower, their name translates to “old telegraph.”
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘The 2007 Vieux Télégraphe may be the greatest wine made at this property since the 2005 and 1998. Dense ruby/purple-tinged with an exquisite nose of salty sea breezes, licorice, ground pepper, jammy black cherries, black currants, figs, and plums, this is a full-bodied, rich, Provençal-styled offering with lots of sweet, ripe tannin. It is surprisingly accessible for a Vieux Telegraphe (this wine normally shuts down several years after bottling), but it should have great longevity (25+ years) given its power, full-bodied mouthfeel, and enormous length and richness. This is a brilliant effort from brothers Frederic and Daniel Brunier.’ - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 96+/100 (Oct 2009)
‘Packed, in a brawny, muscular style atypical for this lush vintage, with a gravelly undertow to the currant paste, braised fig and dark licorice notes. Picks up even more steam on the finish, with grilled mesquite, mineral and garrigue notes and a long, hot stone–filled finish. Best from 2010 through 2030.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Dec 2009)
'Magnum. Lifted and racy while being sweet and dense too. At peak and nicely evolved. Gorgeous. Perfect tonight; I wonder what the bottles are like? Sweet and spicy. Round and irresistible. Liquorice flavours. Looks much older than the Clos des Papes 2006.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Aug 2021)
'Glass-staining ruby. Highly pungent bouquet offers black fruit compote, olive and floral qualities, along with a slightly high-toned quality that recedes with air. The palate-coating, deeply concentrated cassis and blackberry flavors display a slow-mounting spiciness. Pretty powerful for a wine from this estate, showing more heft and dark fruit character than usual. The finish is broad, velvety and impressively persistent. Long-time fans of this property's usually elegant style might not be over the moon for this wine's virility.' - Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 93/100 (Jan 2010)