2010 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe "La Crau" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

SKU #1113221 97 points Decanter

Remarkably deep in colour still. Has the deep, brooding meatiness of the vintage, meaty and bloody. Very full-bodied in the mouth but also very fresh with a strong tannic frame, really sturdy, it's butch even for Châteauneuf. The alcohol is high, but it wears it well. Provençal herbs in the background on the very long finish. Great weight of tannins – arguably it still needs time, but a great wine is irresistible at any age. (MW) (6/2020)

97 points Wine Advocate

Performing considerably better than it did prior to bottling, the 2010 Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the all-time great Vieux Télégraphes I have tasted in the last 3+ decades. I believe it is even superior to the 2007, which I had several weeks ago. The 2010 boasts a dense purple color along with a sumptuous bouquet of spring flowers, boysenberries, black cherries, black currants, nori (the sushi seaweed wrapper), black olives, licorice and pepper. This full-bodied, meaty, thick, juicy effort possesses a boatload of tannin, but it also has incredible concentration. More massive than I remember from last year, it has put on considerable weight and intensity. Forget it for 3-4 years, and drink it over the following 25-30 years. Kudos to Daniel and Frederic Brunier! (RP) (10/2012)

96 points Jeb Dunnuck

As good, if not better, than the stunning ’07, the 2010 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau is a knockout effort that will delight traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape lovers. It’s ruby/semi-opaque color is followed by a sumptuous, savory bouquet of ground pepper, rolled stone and oyster shell-like minerality, seaweed, and garrigue that’s anchored by a vibrant core of sweet red fruits. Full-bodied, textured, fresh, and with chewy, ripe tannin on the finish, this will not be a wine for instant gratification and needs a solid 5-6 years of bottle age; it should keep for upwards of three decades. (JD) 96+ (9/2012)

96 points Wine Spectator

Coated with unctuous linzer torte, warm plum sauce and pure cassis fruit flavors, while notes of maduro tobacco, mint, green fig and toasted anise flitter throughout. This is lush and dense, but well-harnessed through the finish, with a mouthwatering roasted apple wood note and lingering fresh acidity. *Collectible* (JM) (11/2012)

94 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Vivid ruby. Intense red fruit and floral aromas are complicated by notes of anise, allspice and minerals. Sappy and incisive on the palate, offering pliant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and an exotic lavender pastille quality. Becomes livelier and spicier with air and finishes with supple tannins, outstanding clarity and noteworthy persistence. (JR) (1/2013)