Winemaker Notes
Opulent notes of dark cherries,raspberries, and dried herbs . The mouth is utterly elegant with beautiful length driven by black berries and licorice.
Blend: 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A representative tank sample of the 2017 Vacqueyras showed impressive ripeness and concentration. Leather and clove notes accent blueberry fruit in this full-bodied blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. It finishes long and creamy in texture.
Rating: 91-93
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the reds and just bottled, the 2017 Vacqueyras (60/40 Grenache and Syrah) is a medium to full-bodied, ripe, balanced effort that has loads of black fruits, truffle, olive, and peppery herb aromas and flavors. Due to miserable yields, there was no Special Cuvée produced, so this cuvée includes those parcels that normally go into the more expensive cuvée. It’s going to keep for 8-10 years.
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Wine Spectator
Dark and winey, with steeped plum and black currant fruit laced with licorice root and singed mesquite notes. Late dusting of garrigue on the finish. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2029.
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James Suckling
Very attractive wild raspberries and red plums on offer here with a brambly, poached red-fruit palate, ribbon-smooth tannins and a lick of spice to close. Drink over the next four years.
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Wine Enthusiast
Plush blueberry and blackberry preserves are lifted by swathes of violet and rose petal in this ripe, mouthwatering red. A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah matured in neutral wood, it’s an ample, open-knit wine framed by fine, feathery tannins. Juicy and forward, it’s best enjoyed now through 2024.
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.