Winemaker Notes
The nose reveals lively balsamic notes, dark berries, fresh laurel, and black olives. The structure is round and generous with a long voluptuous finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The flagship 2020 Vacqueyras Cuvée Spéciale is a smaller production release based largely on Grenache and offers more red and black fruits as well as new leather, spice, and dried flower aromas and flavors. It’s complex, medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and just a stunning Vacqueyras in the making.
Barrel Sample: 92-94 -
James Suckling
A round and velvety red with a rich core of cherries, strawberries, crushed raspberries, dried thyme and baking spices. It’s full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Spicy and vibrant with a creamy texture and a flavorful, long finish. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A gem of this estate, the 2020 Vacqueyras Cuvee Speciale comes from red clay soils planted to 65-year-old vines. Mainly Grenache, it's a big, full-bodied wine (16.1% alcohol), yet it carries it well, coming across as ripe and rich, with hints of dark chocolate, licorice and dusty earth accenting black cherries. With just three demi-muids produced (one new), there are only 1,800 bottles for readers to track down and enjoy. It's a terrific expression of Vacqueyras and Grenache.
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Wine Spectator
A lush, silky red, with winey plum and cherry notes pierced by sweet oak and clove. Robust and smoky, with ample structure and energy to carry the ripeness. Delicious. Grenache and Syrah.
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Vinous
At 16% alcohol, the blockbuster-styled 2020 Vacqueyras Cuvée Spéciale is almost too hot to handle. Cooked red and black cherry, black plum and strawberry compote rise up from the glass. Nuances of melted licorice, spice box and forest floor add more layers. This structured elixir hits the palate with fresh acidity and outstanding concentration, yet the grippy tannins call for at least one more year in bottle for softening. Make sure to serve slightly chilled.
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.