2016 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau

Opaque dark red core with black tinged edges and a bright dark red hue. Potent fresh dark to black raspberry, black cherry and liquorice aromas show a hedonistic intensity with scorched earth, meaty characters, spicy aromatic herbs and pepper ensuing. Rich, very concentrated and opulent yet possessing a dazzling freshness and great elegance, the palate is hit with a tsunami of black raspberry, dark to black cherry and liquorice flavours with wave upon wave cascading across the mouth. Outstanding purity of fruit with elements of scorched earth, incense, dried herbs, some meatiness and spicy pepper all chiming in to add complexity. Vibrant, perfectly balanced acidity and robust, muscular tannins augur well for long term cellaring. Tremendous power and drive with a stratospherically long finish.
Cellar 10-15 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews....
Undoubtedly one of the top vintages of this wine, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau features classy notes of crushed stones and black tea to go along with ripe raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied yet silky, there's more power and richness in La Crau than in Piedlong, yet there's commensurate elegance and finesse. The wine grows in intensity on the finish without ever seeming heavy or overripe, instead offering hints of tea and licorice.
96 points
Joe Czerwinski - Wine Advocate #238 (Sep 2018)

Lurid ruby-red. Potent, mineral-accented Chambord, cherry compote and licorice aromas are complicated by suave lavender and Asian spice qualities. Seamless, round and alluringly sweet, offering lush red and blue fruit preserve and floral pastille flavors and a hint of five-spice powder. Finishes sappy, sweet and extremely long, featuring velvety tannins and resonating florality.
93-95 points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous

Impressive, complex array of wild cherries, raspberries, garrigue herbs, lightly spiced pastry and stony, chalky minerals. Super-fresh florals. The palate has superb texture, roundness, completeness, depth and detail. Powerful yet elegant with powdery tannins and essence-like red fruit. Super-fleshy, supple and dense core, then strong at the edges. Layer upon layer peels away on the finish. Resounding finesse and equilibrium, showing the full potential of the plateau La Crau. Drink or hold.
98 points
JamesSuckling.com

Bottled just last week, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers a classic, gorgeous bouquet of black raspberries, currants, violets, salty minerality, nori (seaweed wrapper) and licorice. Full-bodied, pure, incredibly elegant, with fine tannin, and a huge finish, this is classic Vieux Télégraphe all the way that has the balance to drink now.
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck