Winemaker Notes
Blend: 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Saddle leather, chocolate, peppery herbs and savory red and black fruits emerge from the 2015 Vacqueyras La Cantarelle. A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, it's a ripe, sexy, concentrated 2015 that has terrific tannin quality, a plump, sumptuous texture, and a great finish. It’s a blockbuster Vacqueyras that readers shouldn’t miss!
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Vacqueyras la Cantarelle features wonderfully prominent scents of lavender and bay leaf alongside plenty of raspberry fruit. This medium to full-bodied blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah is supple on the mid-palate, then spicy and firm on the finish, gradually growing into an intense yet elegant wine. Drink it now and over the next 5-8 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
Intensely concentrated yet nuanced by earth, spice and flower, this powerful wine originates from 80- to 100-year-old vines of Grenache and Syrah. Luscious blackberry and cherry flavors are persistent and punchy, balanced by crisp acidity and soft, silky tannins. Enjoyable now for its vibrant fruit but should improve through 2026.
Cellar Selection
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.