VIGNOBLES BRUNIER, Vaucluse

Daniel Brunier, better known as the talented proprietor the famous Chateauneuf du Pape estate Domaine de Vieux Telegraphe, makes these two delightful Rhones from vineyards that the family owns outside of the Chateauneuf and Gigondas appellations.

Le Pigeoulet is from Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Carignane grapes grown on the slopes of Mont Ventoux together with a small parcel on the east bank of the Rhone north of Avignon and just outside the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation. It has a deep, bright black/ruby colour, and entrances with its vivid, fresh black cherry, liquorice and wild garrigue herb aromas. Megaphone is from a 3 hectare parcel on southern slopes of the dramatic and beautiful Dentelles de Montmirail. It was bought to add to  the Pigeoulet blend, but the exceptional quality of the fruit here encouraged the family to vinify it separately. A blend of 25 year old Grenache with Syrah, it is deep in colour, with notes of liquorice and garrigue herbs, structured, taught, elegant and compelling. It is with wines such as this that the southern Rhone scores so highly in terms of pure, uncomplicated pleasure.