The plots are located in the town of Sarrians, in the localities "la Verde", "Pavane" on the Garrigues plateau.
This 35-year-old vineyard takes root in sandy-clay soils.
Grapes:
60% Grenache
40% Syrah
Viticulture: Rigorous bud pruning. Furthermore, green harvesting and leaf thinning are done.
The picking is entirely by hand, with sorting in the vineyard and again in the cellar.
Winemaking:
manual harvest and sorting on the estate by vibrating table, destemming and crushing of the grapes.
Vinification of Grenache and Syrah together if the maturity of these grape varieties allows.
The maceration lasts about 3 weeks, gentle extraction by various methods (pumping over, load shedding or trapping);
Malolactic fermentation in wooden vats or in stainless steel vats, in barrels.
Elevage : It is made in wooden vats, in half-muids, in barrels.
SERVICE TIP:
Around 16 ° C-18 ° C. If possible, consider decanting the wine.
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
“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
“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