Still tight, with the core of cherry and red currant fruit held in check by a mix of lightly firm sandalwood, spice, licorice root and warm stone flavors. Mulled fig and cocoa notes check in on the grippy finish. A rare backward style 2008 that will need some cellaring to round into form. Best from 2013 through 2020. 12,200 cases made.

Production for the grand vin in 2008 was down by 20-25%, and the 2008 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape appears to be a soft, richly fruity wine revealing lots of raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with notions of nori (the seaweed wrapper found in sushi restaurants), roasted Provencal herbs, and garrigue. This lovely front end-loaded effort will be unusually precocious, so it should be drinkable upon release, and will evolve for 7-10 years.