Winemaker Notes
Intense and brilliant garnet red with light violet hues. Generous nose revealing subtle flavors of red berries: currant, raspberry, crushed strawberry that opens after aeration on notes of violet and garrigue. The palate is creamy and smooth, the tannins coated and elegant which allows it to be appreciated in its early youth. Long finish on cherry notes.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
While the 2018 Vacqueyras Prelude isn’t going to match the 2016 or 2017, it’s a charming, elegant, nicely textured 2018 that has lots to love. Offering wild strawberry and blueberry like fruits intermixed with violets and pepper, it’s medium-bodied, charming, and elegant on the palate. The blend is 55% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 13% Mourvedre, and the rest Cinsault, brought up all in concrete. It should keep nicely for 5-7 years.
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.