Vacqueyras
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍷 Vintage Profile
The 2020 vintage across Vacqueyras was characterized by an exceptionally early vegetative cycle and a warm, steady growing season devoid of excessive heat spikes. Well-timed late spring precipitation provided sufficient hydric reserves to sustain phenolic development through a dry, sunny summer, while persistent diurnal temperature variations retained crucial natural acidity in the Grenache and Syrah. Harvest yielded fruit with fine-grained, fully polymerized tannins, moderate alcohol levels, and vibrant aromatic precision unmarred by overripeness. Entering its prime plateau of maturity in 2026, this wine displays exceptional balance and will drink well through 2030.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled rosemary lamb chops, wild boar stew with olives, roasted eggplant with tapenade.
✨ Technical Specifications
Sourced from the alluvial terraces and sandstone-limestone soils flanking the Dentelles de Montmirail, this cuvée captures the muscular yet fragrant character typical of Vacqueyras. Grenache dominates the blend, bolstered by Syrah and Mourvèdre. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts in temperature-controlled concrete vats, followed by maturation primarily in concrete and large neutral oak vessels to preserve purity of black fruit and distinct garrigue nuances without modern oak dominance.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2008 as a boutique partnership between oenologist Pierre-Henri Morel and celebrated Northern Rhône icon Michel Chapoutier, this label unites meticulous micro-estate viticulture with refined Southern Rhône typicity. The project originated with the acquisition of historic holdings in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, anchored by pre-World War II old-vine Grenache in the sandy, siliceous terroir of Lieu-dit Pignan. Extending its footprint through artisanal selections across premier Southern crus—including Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Côtes-du-Rhône Villages—the estate highlights alluvial rolled stones (galets roulés), limestone slopes, and garrigue-strewn soils under intense Mediterranean sun and brisk Mistral winds. Winemaking favors minimal intervention: fruit is hand-harvested and vinified using native yeasts in concrete vats and neutral large oak foudres, deliberately avoiding heavy oak extraction to elevate purity of fruit, spicy garrigue aromatics, and polished structural elegance.
🍇 Grapes
Grenache, Mourvèdre
🍷 ABV
15%