Winemaker Notes
A deep red wine, on the nose, with characteristics of the parcel: raspberry, liquorice and vanilla. In the mouth, the tannins are fine, silky and delicate. A lovely after taste. The aromas on the nose are found in the mouth, complimented by elegance, finesse and a lovely freshness.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Included in my blind tasting of Vacqueyras and retasted (with an identical score) at the domaine, the 2015 Vacqueyras le Clos is a stunner. A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah grown next to the winery on blue clay soils, it seems almost impervious to the effects of drought and heat. It's full-bodied and richly textured, but with no loss of detail and no sense of heat. Flowering garrigue makes a mark on the nose, followed by notions of apricots, raspberries and blackberries. The tannins are incredibly supple, the mouthfeel lush, the finish long and elegant. As I wrote in my notebook on one occasion, "This is the real deal" and "This is spectacular" (with "is" underlined) on the other, you might surmise I liked it, even without looking at the rating.
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.