Winemaker Notes
Elegant intense ruby red color with purple highlights. Expressive and complex, the nose reveals a rich aromatic palette, mixing aromas of morello cherry, spices and licorice. Complex and opulent, the palate is well balanced by a beautiful freshness and offers a rich texture combined with tasty notes of black fruit, reinforced by soft and silky tannins. An intense and harmonious wine.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A fairly muscular and generous red, with baked cherries, strawberry jam and warm spices on the nose following through to a medium- to full-bodied palate with plush tannins. Structured, with concentrated fruit at the center and a peppery, driven finish. 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.