2013 Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf du Pape La Crau Museum Release, Southern Rhone

Limpid ruby. A highly expressive bouquet evokes ripe red berries, potpourri and peppery spices, and a smoky mineral nuance gains strength as the wine opens up. Offers concentrated raspberry liqueur and spicecake flavors and deeper licorice and bitter chocolate flavors sharpened and given spine by juicy acidity. Effortlessly plays richness off elegance and finishes sweet, spicy and impressively long, with velvety tannins lending shape and grip.

92 points Josh Raynolds vinous.com Drink: Now-2027

Rather perfumy up front, with savory, mint and incense notes leading the way for silky cherry and raspberry coulis flavors. The finish is lined with subtle tobacco, warm stone and floral hints, ending with a light balsam twinge. This should put on some weight with age.

92 points James Molesworth winespectator.com Drink: Now-2026

Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Museum Release is one of the Southern Rhône’s great treasures, released after years of cellaring to showcase the brilliance of aged Grenache-based wines at their peak. Grown on the iconic La Crau plateau, a legendary site covered in galets roulés (large, sun-soaked stones), this wine is as much about history and place as it is about flavour and finesse.

The Brunier family, who have run Vieux Télégraphe for generations, are known for their traditional, no-frills approach—organic farming, whole bunch fermentation, long maceration, and élevage in large old foudres. Their aim is not to make a flashy or fruit-forward wine, but rather one with structure, depth and a long life ahead of it.

The Museum Release comes from standout vintages and is cellared at the domaine until the wine reaches a beautifully mature stage. Expect a complex bouquet of dried cherry, stewed plum, garrigue, leather, tobacco leaf, and sweet spice. The palate is silky but still structured, with savoury earth, dried herbs, hints of black tea and a long, stony finish. Tannins are mellow but present, offering a reminder of the wine’s pedigree and aging potential.

Perfect with slow-roasted lamb, duck confit, wild mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses. This is not just a bottle—it’s a masterclass in time, terroir and tradition.