Handford Wines

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is one of the best renowned estates of the Southern Rhône. It is a large estate and there are about 45 hectares of red grapevines planted, with an average age of around 55 years. Blessed with one of the finest locations in the area, the particularly hot microclimate is such that the Bruniers, owners of the estate for almost a century, are able to harvest as much as a week ahead of their neighbours. The blend is a typical one, with Grenache accounting for around two thirds, the rest being made up of Syrah and Mourvèdre in roughly equal proportions, and a tiny bit of Cinsault.

The Wine

One of the more concentrated and structured of the 2006s this compares favourably with the 2005. Rounded tannins, red cherry fruit, complex herb, black pepper and liquorice characters. Drink over the next 12 years. (RP gives 90-93/100)

Single Bottle: £34.95

In a case of 12: £33.20