From magnum, the 2007 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau sports a deep blood red color to go with its decadent, ripe aromatics. Licorice, hot stone, meat juices, and roasted garrigue come jumping from the glass and the fruit leans towards the plum/raspberry liqueur spectrum. Beautiful on the palate, the wine is full bodied and lavishly textured, possesses loads of ripe fruit, impeccable balance and a long, focused finish. Very approachable now (and I thoroughly enjoyed this bottle) it continues to flesh out with air, gaining both depth and richness. Given the track record of this estate, I don’t see any reason this won’t drink well for 20+ years. Simply a stunning bottle of wine. (JD) 95+

Packed, in a brawny, muscular style atypical for this lush vintage, with a gravelly undertow to the currant paste, braised fig and dark licorice notes. Picks up even more steam on the finish, with grilled mesquite, mineral and garrigue notes and a long, hot stone filled finish. *Ranked #3 on Top 100 of 2009, Highly Recommended* (JM)

The robe shows some advance past a full red. Game, reduction show in a broad bouquet, one with capacity and red meat depth. It shows the concentration of the year in its red fruit. The attack is elegant, provides a liberal offer of stylish red fruit, with joli clarity. This is developing well. Its freshness has been well achieved, and it serves a rocky tang as it finishes. This is very enjoyable, is a superior 2007 in the freedom stakes, nothing overdone.