Wine Portfolio : Rhone Valley

Vacqueyras

Vacqueyras is the 5th southern Rhone village that was awarded its own appellation in 1951. Although Vacqueyras is only three kilometers (2 miles) from Gigondas, the terroir is quite different. Vacqueyras wines are not as rustic and earthy as Gigondas wines, tending to be fruitier, softer, and finer. Most drink well young.

J et R imports several excellent Vacqueyras estates:

Domaine de l'Espigouette

Domaine des Amouriers

Chateau de Montmirail

Domaine de la Tourade

Domaine de l'Espigouette

Vacqueyras rouge 2000

A Guide Hachette two stars [** rating]. "The elegance of the red robe sets the tone for the taste. No agressiveness in the pastoral symphony of wild red fruits, red currant, and morello cherry. On the tongue ample and rich, balanced in the long follow-through." Grenache 75%; Syrah 25%. Aged 1 year in old oak foudres. 350 cases made. J et R Selections imports 250 of them. J et R Selections is the exclusive importer of this important Rhone estate for the US.

Gold medal at the prestigious Paris wine fair.
Gold medal at Tasters Guild International Wine Tasting 2002.

Vacqueyras rouge 1999

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar [89 rating]: "Moderately saturated red. Exotic, liqueur-like aromas of minerals, woodsmoke and sexy wood spices; smells like a fully mature right-bank Bordeaux. Sweet, ripe and consistent; concentrated and superripe. Harmonious acids and lush tannins give it a sound structure. Purists may be put off by the wine's distinctly high-toned notes of coffee and old wood, but this full-blown wine is long on personality."

Domaine des Amouriers

Vacqueyras rouge 2001, cuvée Signature

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate [90 rating]: "The sexy 2001 Vacqueyras Signature exhibits abundant fruit in addition to an endearing personality. It is a medium to full-bodied, loaded offering to enjoy over the next 5-6 years." 55% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 5% Mourvedre. No oak. J et R Selections imports the traditional cuvées of this important estate.

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar [89 rating]: "Moderately saturated medium ruby. Ripe, slightly medicinal aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate, spice cake and menthol. Rich, supple and sweet, with concentrated, nicely delineated flavors of black cherry, minerals and spices. Finishes with strong lingering fruits and sweet, chewy tannins that coat the teeth."

Chateau de Montmirail

Vacqueyras rouge, cuvée Saint-Papes 1999

Handsome and packed with black-fruit elements. It displays an enticing oaky mantle and a smooth charming edge. Robust and age-worthy. Aged in oak for 8 months; bottled after 2 years. Usually needs to cellar for a year or two. Grenache 70%; Syrah 20%, Mourvedre and Cinsault 10%. 1100 cases made.

Vacqueyras rouge, cuvée Deux Frères 2000

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar [89 rating]: "Bright ruby-red. Roasted nose combines medicinal cherry and hints of exotic fruits, plus suggestions of coffee, mint and garrigue. Dense, sweet and creamy, but still a bit tightly wound. Liqueur-like flavors of red fruits and spice cake. Finishes ripely tannic, chewy and long."

Robert Parker, Wines of the Rhone Valley says this cuvée is "a richly fruity Vacqueyras that is easy to understand and drink. Grenache 70%, Syrah 20%, Mourvedre and Cinsault 10%. No oak. Fined but not filtered. Bottled after 1 year. 5000 cases made.

Vacqueyras rouge, cuvée de l'Ermite 2000

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar [88+ rating]: "Red-ruby. Raw, musky aromas of gunflint, chicory, garrigue and meat. Sweet and very ripe but also juicy and penetrating. Still a bit tight and not especially fleshy. Finishes firmly tannic, with a minty nuance." 50% grenache; 50% syrah. Fined but not filtered. Rest on lees w/ racking 3-4 times. 700 cases made.

Find out more about this estate...

Domaine de la Tourade

Vacqueyras rouge 2000

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar [86-88 rating]: "Ruby-red. Aromas of red berries, game, smoke and spices. Blossomed nicely in the glass to show a supple texture and moderate sweetness, with good balancing acidity and tannic support."