Winemaker Notes
Light and fresh with plenty of vibrant red and black cherry and a hint of raspberry. Garrigue herbs and spice on the nose but an uplifting freshness makes it very approachable.
Pair with poultry, beef in sauce, grilled red meats, and cheese.
Blend: 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mouvèdre
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Loads of cassis, creamy cherries and sweet spices on the nose following through to a medium to full body with firm tannins. Plush and generously fruity on the palate with a focused finish. Grenache, syrah and mourvedre. Drink or hold.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2022 Vieux Clocher Vacqueyras is steadfast on the palate. This wine offers aromas and flavors of appealing licorice, savory earth, and a hint of oak. Serve it with an old-fashioned beef stew. Tasted: October 8, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
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.