Winemaker Notes
Beautiful dark ruby color. The nose is intense and tasty with aromas of black fruit, spices, and mineral notes. Balanced and complex on the palate, the tannins are dense and silky, with notes of blackberry, cassis and licorice. Long and mineral on the finish, this wine is full of finesse and elegance and reveals the harmony and wisdom of old Grenache, in a traditional and pure register.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
A meaty and bright blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, with notes of plum, racy acidity, and an elegant style. This appellation flies under the radar but deserves significant attention.
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Wine Spectator
A fresh and unadorned style, with damson plum and cherry notes laced with subtle sanguine and mineral threads. The finish is restrained but sneaky long.
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.