Domaine du Vieux-Télégraphe 2023 Chateauneuf-du-Pape "La Crau", France

96 Points                                               The Domaine du Vieuxe Télégraphe 'La Crau' is one of the iconic, classic red Chateauneuf-du-Papes. The best vintages will age for 25 years and more. It is a dark fruited, brooding, and iron rich red, full of aromatic garrigue and red-fruited freshness. This famous wine will not last long. 95 Points Wine Spectator: "An alluring perfume of red currant and dried cherry is followed by earth tones of warm chestnut, wet leaves, brown bread and pepper, all built upon a plank of solid iron. There's a bloody, meaty edge to the palate, which is still tightly wound up by fine, persistent tannins. Incense smoke and mineral notes bounce along the lengthy finish. Elegant in spite of its weight and stature. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2042." 94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Grand Vin is always from the heart of the La Crau lieu-dit and is 65% Grenache with the balance Mourvedre and Syrah. The 2023 saw about 30% stems and is being brought up in foudre. It has a beautiful core of red fruits (strawberries and redcurrants) as well as classic notes of crushed stone, pepper, garrigue, and sandalwood. Playing in the medium-bodied, elegant, seamless end of the spectrum, it has fine tannins and outstanding length. It's a pretty, silky, impressive 2021 with class." 94 Points Robert Parker: "Still in tank when I visited in June 2023, the 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau features scents of crushed stone accenting ripe cherries and  hints of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, it offers taut acids allied to silky tannins and ample length on the finish. It's not a huge blockbuster, but it fits nicely with the Brunier family's evolution toward more elegance in their wines. Tasted twice, with consistent notes."