Winemaker Notes
Each vineyard plot as well as each grape variety is vinified on its own and undergoes a long, gentle maceration in a concrete vat. Part of the Syrah and Mourvèdre wines then spend a year in oak barrels before blending and bottling. A deep purple color, this wine has powerful aromas of blue fruits, violets, exotic flowers and blood orange. It is pure and elegant, with good length and serious aging potential.
Recommended by its creators with duck breast filet with honey sauce.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Dark plums, currants, olives, dried thyme and baking spices on the nose. It’s medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins. Elegant and layered with good texture. A bit firmer, with plenty of spice in the finish. 55% grenache, 25% syrah and 20% mourvedre. Best after 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.