65% Grenache and 35% Syrah according to several websites, this Vacqueyras could almost be mistaken for a North Rhone. Crisp dark fruit, with lots of spice and black pepper, perhaps owing to its relatively high syrah component or perhaps a slightly cooler site. Whatever, this is an intriguing and vibrant red, with fine complexity and good structure. Drinking nicely at 6 years of age, there is no rush to drink this, it should keep another 5. Well worth $25. Tasted Oct 2015.

Starting to tail off, drink up but still excellent

It sits in the glass in a great dark purple colour. The colour of grape juice! Very well balanced, super smooth. The nose begins quite earthy and herbally with underlying fruitiness. On the palate it's intense and finishes with a long and pleasant cocoa note. The longer it breathes, the more complex it becomes -- the earthy herbally goodness comes out nicely.

Enjoyed with braised and grilled beef. Tasted January 2012.

At first it tasted like a rather ordinary Rhone, but either it grew on me, or else more time in the carafe helped. Maybe it really does need more time to be fully integrated.

Tasted Dec. 2015.