Winemaker Notes
Black cherry, licorice and a subtle hint of tar lead to fine, polished tannins.
Ideal pairing with baked camembert or braised lamb.
Blend: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Sure, Domaine du Terme's 2021 Vacqueyras has some leathery, even gently stable-like notes on the nose, but it also boasts lovely aromas of black cherries. An 80-20 blend of Grenache and Syrah aged in tank, it's medium to full-bodied, with a creamy-supple feel and ample concentration and depth. It seems cleaner on the finish, so I've given it the benefit of the doubt, but prudent consumers would enjoy it on the young side.
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.