Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe 2020 Ventoux “Megaphone”

Megaphone is a fairly recent addition to the line-up at Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe – and is created with the same love, care and attention to detail that has made global icons of the Chateauneuf du Pape wines produced at this noble estate. The grapes for Megaphone are harvested by hand from a small 8 acre plot. There are three rounds of sorting and selection (two in the vineyard and one upon arrival at the cellar) that ensure only the cleanest and ripest fruit makes it into the winery. Grapes are grown on privileged terroirs near Caromb at the Dentelles de Montmirail, among the foothills, leading up to the highest point in Provence (Mont Ventoux). This dramatic and jagged prehistoric limestone formation is situated between the villages of Gigondas and Vacqueyras – a perfect site for Grenache and Syrah. The vineyards used in the production of Megaphone average about 40 years of age and are grown on clay/sand soils littered with (literally, one can only assume!) tons of stone and gravel.

Harvest is followed by 100% destemming and gentle pressing. Slow, cool fermentation of Megaphone takes place over 20+ days in traditional cement vats, followed by full malolactic fermentation. The wine is then allowed to age for about a year in 5000L oak foudres before bottling and another couple of months to rest in bottle before final release to market. Very limited annual production totals just 15,000 bottles. In addition to the incredible southern Rhone minerality on display in this “super-Ventoux” red, the wine showcases amazing herbal complexity speaking to the impact of the “garrigue” (or local vegetation including rosemary and time and juniper) on the flavours and aromas of the final blend.