As I write this wine review I can hear the strangest sound coming from outside the wine shop. It sounds familiar and yet decidedly odd. I look out the window and see our property manager raking. That’s right, it’s mid-February and the landscaping tools of choice are a rake and broom. At my own home, [...read more]

If the Vieux Télégraphe is the giant of Châteauneuf, then the Télégramme is the region’s sultry, full-bodied minx. The Brunier Brothers produce this super-value du-Pape as a second label. In this case, the wine has some serious come-hither appeal. Not brooding or massive, it’s a bit silkier and more giving than it’s bigger sibling. It [...read more]

Kermit Lynch is fond of telling us that Vieux Télégraphe is the ultimate expression of Châteauneuf . The galet-strewn La Crau plateau is a terroir so primal, so perfectly representative of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, that all others must measure their wines by its standard. Needless to say, it’s easy for them to come up short when they’re [...read more]

This blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Garnacha is great for everyday drinking. It shows nice dark cherry fruit with vanilla notes and subtle earthiness. It’s super smooth with a plush mouthfeel and a slightly smoky, meaty finish. The grapes are selected, cut one-by-one, and then placed in boxes, with great care in each step, [...read more]