A Hedonistic Country Quaffer from Châteaneuf-du-Pape
A Hedonistic Country Quaffer from Châteaneuf-du-Pape
by Tom Wolf by Tom Wolf
2020 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”
2020 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
For decades, the Brunier brothers of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe have produced a world-class rouge from the southern Rhône Valley’s most prestigious appellation, Châteaneuf-du-Pape. With their Pigeoulet, they prove just as capable of mastering the hedonistic country quaffer, which teems with northern Provence’s most irresistible qualities: the succulent red and black fruit, stony core, hint of black olive, and garrigue.
The Bruniers farm the Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre that make up this cuvée on two distinct parcels: the first situated on the east side of the Rhône, near Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the second farther east, along the lower, southwest-facing slopes of Mont Ventoux. The Bruniers’ vast experience in crafting elegant reds in this southern climate is on full display in this bottling. This was a warm year in the region, but the ethereal Pigeoulet showcases remarkable finesse and drinkability. Pair it with roast chicken or lamb, or alongside an assortment of hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, black olives, and the freshest pita you can find.
| Wine Type: | red |
| Vintage: | 2020 |
| Bottle Size: | 750mL |
| Blend: | 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Carignan, 5% Cinsault |
| Appellation: | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Southern Rhône |
| Producer: | Famille Brunier |
| Winemaker: | Brunier Family |
| Vineyard: | 25 years average, 10 ha |
| Soil: | Clay with sandy alluvial deposits |
| Aging: | Wine ages for 18 months in 50% cement tanks, 50% foudres |
| Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
| Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2023 Gigondas
France | Southern Rhône
Durban does here what they do best, keeping the focus and precision of the terroir as well as loads of fruit and pleasure.
2023 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”
France | Southern Rhône
This is about as quaffable as the region’s rouges get.
2023 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blanc “Le Pigeoulet”
France | Southern Rhône
The blend is equal parts Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Clairette. Together, they create a wine that has a complex mouth-feel that finishes with a nice refreshing acidity.
2023 Ventoux Rouge “Mégaphone”
France | Southern Rhône
June Club Gourmand ~ Fragrant aromas of lavender and garrigue, notes of perfectly ripe black cherries, hints of black olive and stones.
2023 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
France | Southern Rhône
This bears a rich bouquet of wild strawberry, flowers, garrigue, and sweet spices, culminating in a long, stony finale.
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Piedlong”
France | Southern Rhône
At once robust, succulent, and elegant, this red offers immediate pleasure and age-worthy promise.
2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
France | Southern Rhône
Perfect for those who enjoy delicacy and finesse in their Châteauneuf.
2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau”
France | Southern Rhône
The majesty of the La Crau vineyard is encapsulated in this wine. I can't think of a grander expression of Southern Rhone terroir.
2022 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
France | Southern Rhône
This bears a rich bouquet of wild strawberry, flowers, garrigue, and sweet spices, culminating in a long, stony finale.
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc “Clos la Roquète”
France | Southern Rhône
Clos La Roquète’s blanc is luscious, yet finishes nice and dry with striking acidity.
About The Producer
Famille Brunier
Vignobles Brunier embodies the ensemble of the holdings by the Brunier family. Brothers Frédéric and Daniel are the fourth generation of their family to farm the land of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They have worked hard to solidify the legacy left by their father, Henri, and their great-grandfather, Hippolyte. In 1986, the family complemented their portfolio, offering more affordable cuvées that showcase the diversity of terroirs within their holdings. The “Pigeoulet” and “Mégaphone” are fresh, rich in fruit and easy to appreciate young. The red Châteauneuf “Piedlong”, sourced from the Piélong lieu-dit, is a profoundly mineral wine that balances elegance and purity with the muscle that is found in this great appellation.
More from Southern Rhône or France
2007 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2023 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
Gaël Petit France | Southern Rhône
2024 Tavel Rosé
Château de Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras Rouge “ Doucinello”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Sagesse”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Télégramme”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras “Un Sang Blanc”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
Clairette de Die “Tradition”
Domaine Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône
2022 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Cuvée de Lopy”
Domaine le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2007 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2023 Tavel “La Combe des Rieu”
Gaël Petit France | Southern Rhône
2024 Tavel Rosé
Château de Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras Rouge “ Doucinello”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
2022 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Sagesse”
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
2024 Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2023 Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Télégramme”
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône
2023 Vacqueyras “Un Sang Blanc”
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
Clairette de Die “Tradition”
Domaine Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône
2022 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône
2022 Vacqueyras Rouge “Cuvée de Lopy”
Domaine le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
For the wines that I buy I insist that the winemaker leave them whole, intact. I go into the cellars now and select specific barrels or cuvées, and I request that they be bottled without stripping them with filters or other devices. This means that many of our wines will arrive with a smudge of sediment and will throw a more important deposit as time goes by, It also means the wine will taste better.