VACQUEYRAS rouge

The yet-to-bottled 2016 Vacqueyras Cuvee Speciale features bold purple raspberry fruit and hints of chocolaty richness, all balanced by crisp acids and a bright, zesty finish. It's full-bodied, with plenty of ripe tannins, so give it until 2020 or so to open up.

(92-94 Points) - Joe Czerwinski – The Wine Advocate – August  2018

2016  (oak vat) full robe. The bouquet is brewed, enclosed, rather massive, on black berry fruits with inner sweetness, notes of black olives. There’s some very ripe Syrah present, with a lean towards jam from that. The palate links to the nose in being rich, filled, dense, has inner force. The tannins bring layers of extra depth, and it unfurls its wares gradually, solidly. This is a ripe, genuine southern ball of a wine, for stews, red meats. The aftertaste is lip smacking. 15°. 60% G 40% Syr. From spring 2019, decanting advised. 2031-33

John Livingstone – February 2018

Moving to the reds, neither of the 2016 Vacqueyras were bottled. The 2016 Vacqueyras checks in as a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah that was brought up in a mix of wood tanks and stainless steel. This juicy, medium to full-bodied, elegant 2016 gives up classic notes of spices, garrigue, iron, and assorted dark fruits. I love its complexity as well as its elegance.

(89 - 91 Points) – Jeb Dunnuck – August 2018

A From the estate's vineyards near Sarrians, the 2016 Vacqueyras had yet to be bottled at the time of my June visit. It's full-bodied and creamy textured, with lovely raspberry and dried spice nuances..

(90 -92 Points) - Joe Czerwinski – The Wine Advocate – August 2018

Lively, with a mix of raspberry and blackberry confiture notes, lined with bramble, anise and fruitcake flavors. A flash of mesquite adds more detail on the finish. Pretty wine. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2022.

91 Points - Wine Spectator - November 2019

“Mature, with singed cedar and sweet earth notes emerging from the core of lightly steeped kirsch and cherry fruit flavors. A cedar edge holds the slightly rustic finish. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2020. »

88 POINTS – Wine Spectator

This estate always fashioned a terrific Vacqueyras, and the 2015 Vacqueyras (60/40 Grenache and Syrah) looks to be no exception. Possessing lots of black and blue fruits, ground herbs and violet aromas and flavors, this medium to full-bodied effort has impressive depth of fruit and a solid kick of tannin. It should drink nicely through 2025.

(88-90) points –Jeb Dunnuck –The Wine Advocate

Tasted blind. Round and ripe with some structure. Ambitious and a little dry on the end but not excessively drying. Ambitious.15.5% Drink 2019-2026

16.5+ Jancis Robinson

« grand vin, complexe et profond qui ne se livre pas immédiatement ; prenez le temps de le laisser respirer pour qu’il dévoile ses aromes savoureux et bine mariés de cuir, de sous-bois, de fruits rouges et d’épices douces. Le palais se montre dense et voluptueux, riche et soyeux, étayé par des tannins veloutés et fins. »

2 étoiles - Coup de Cœur du Guide Hachette 2017

“Dark crimson. Real interest and juiciness. Dangerously open but fun. Lots of loose liquorice flavour and length. Definitely one of the better wines of the appellation.”

17/20 Jancis Robinson – November 2014