Winemaker Notes
Perfumed black cherry and raspberry are shaded by darker tones of underbrush, wild mint, leather and granite in this full-bodied but vibrantly balanced red. A blend of Grenache and Syrah sourced from clay and sandy soils, it's fruity but cut by a mineral edge too. It's a potent, full-bodied wine but finessed on its feet. Silky tannins and a luscious mouthfeel linger nicely. Syrah & Grenache is a quintessential red blend calling for red fleshed foods – from beef and lamb to tuna, goose and game, or else fattier cuts of pork. It is amazing with barbecue as a lot of people pick up cedar and wood smoke aromas in the wine that flatter any steak you toss on the barbecue.
Blend: 50% Grenache noir, 50%, Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The tannic, concentrated 2022 Vacqueyras le Poete boasts raspberries and cherries—loads of fruit—plus a complex hint of garrigue. This full-bodied blend of Grenache and Syrah (roughly 70% of the former) should look even better in a couple of years' time.
Rating: 91+ -
Decanter
Fresh and clear aromatics showing a touch of smoke from the Syrah, which gives some depth of flavour and complexity. The tannins are relatively ripe here, and it has a good sense of freshness and crispness. Drinkable and harmonious
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on Grenache and Syrah raised all in concrete, the 2022 Vacqueyras Le Poète shines for its purity and elegance, with a Burgundian style in its pretty strawberry and bright red cherry fruits as well as flowers and minty herb nuances. Medium-bodied, it has soft tannins and outstanding length.
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James Suckling
A medium-bodied red with notes of dark berries, dried herbs and baking spices. Firm tannins with a chewiness on the palate. Grilled herbs too and a serious finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
This charming appellation within the Côtes du Rhône Villages was second only to Gigondas to earn its own village appellation status. Its wines may be red, rosé or white—though hardly any is white. Its high winemaking standards follow many of the same rules as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. But for Vacqueyras red wines, half of the grapes have to be Grenache and the remainder is usually a combination of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault.
While they can be robust and rustic in style, typically a great Vacqueyras red combines delicate aromas with intense fruit and a bright, crisp texture. They certainly don’t lack any character and show an abundance of black cherry, wild berry, plum, fig, baking spice, and a touch of game or smoke.