2021 Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Chateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone

Still in tank when I visited in June 2023, the 2021 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.

92-94 Points, Joe Czerwinski – The Wine Advocate Drink: 2023-2033

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau is a solid effort from the Brunier family. The 2021 La Crau unfurls in the glass with a fragrant perfume of crushed violets, lavender, strawberry, raspberry, dried herbs, mint and a dash of white pepper. It is full-bodied and layered, showing a refined profile marked by soft tannins and lively acids. Not as powerful as either the 2020 or 2019, but the 2021 is certainly the most elegant rendition among them. Drink 2025 - 2043

93-95 Points, Nicholas Greinacher – Vinous.com 

This wine is made with 65% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault from vines grown on the galet-strewn La Crau plateau. Juicy yet refined, its raspberry and strawberry coulis nose is lifted by hints of rose petals. The palate has a moderate density with fine, chalky tannins, layers of berry fruit, and herbal freshness. It is mouth-watering near endless energy.

Vieux Télégraphe , situated on the famous La Crau plateau in Châteauneuf-du-Pape , in the Southern Rhône Valley , is celebrated for its distinctive terroir. The Bruniers, who began cultivating the land in 1898, now manage 70 hectares here. The plateau's pudding stones absorb and re-radiate the sun's heat, creating a warm microclimate that supports even grape ripening. The underlying clay subsoil helps counterbalance excessive heat by maintaining vine hydration and coolness, while the altitude and exposure to the Mistral wind protect against disease and frost.

Vieux Télégraphe La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers a powerful bouquet of dark berries, blackcurrant, and plum, complemented by notes of Provençal herbs, leather, and hints of smoky earth. On the palate, it is full-bodied and richly textured, with flavors of black cherry, spice, and a distinct minerality. Structured tannins and balanced acidity give way to a long, elegant finish, promising great aging potential.

Besides their Châteauneuf-du-Pape holdings, the Brunier family also owns Domaine des Pallières in Gigondas , where they experienced fewer issues from frost and rainfall. Daniel Brunier is particularly proud of the 2021 vintage here, describing the wines as pure, linear, and well-balanced with moderate alcohol levels. He considers the Racines cuvée among his finest achievements, highlighting the estate's commitment to quality and finesse across their properties