Winemaker Notes
A lovely freshness and balance in this wine. Hints of white flowers and honey found both on the nose and in the mouth. Finally in the mouth, a saline mineral taste.
Blend: 50% Bourboulenc, 25% White Grenache, 25% Roussanne
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The medium gold-hued 2020 Vacqueyras Mineral Blanc is outstanding and has a clean, age-worthy style in its ripe stone fruits, toast, and honeyed minerality. Based on 50% Bourboulenc and the balance Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, it’s medium-bodied, has good density, and integrated acidity. The safe bet is certainly to drink bottles over the coming 2-4 years, but I’d put money on it also drinking well at age 10.
Full-bodied and flavorful, white Rhône blends originate from France’s Rhône Valley. Today these blends are also becoming popular in other regions. Typically some combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier form the basis of a white Rhône blend with varying degrees of flexibility depending on the exact appellation. Somm Secret—In the Northern Rhône, blends of Marsanne and Roussanne are common but the south retains more variety. Marsanne, Roussanne as well as Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picpoul and Ugni Blanc are typical.
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.