Southern Rhône

VACQUEYRAS RED WINES

Domaine Fontaine du Clos Reflets de l’ame Rouge 2020

Vacqueyras

The wine shows a pale ruby garnet colour. The nose is intense and perfumed, with delicate nuances of rose petals, lavender, a touch of wild strawberries and raspberries, a hint of Mediterranean herbs. The palate is fresh and quite delicate, offering moderate weight, refreshing acidity and grippy, slightly drying tannins. Notes of red cherries and forest red berries intermingle with herbal notes of garrigue, a touch of anise and liquorice. A delicate bitter, gentian note on the finish. Score : 14.75/20 (88-89/100)

Les Grandes Serres – Les Hautes Vacquières 2019

Vacqueyras

The wine has a medium ruby colour. The nose is slightly reductive and restrained, will benefit from aeration. It opens up with floral notes of violets and geranium, nuances of blueberries and juicy blackberries, a touch of sweet spices and cocoa in the background. The palate is juicy and full-bodied, with intense fruit concentration, refreshing acidity that balances well the powerful structure, and bold, muscular but polished tannins. Black fruits dominate, coating the mouth with luscious notes of blueberry pie and blackberry jam, supported by nuances of dried herbs and barriques. A well-balanced and pleasant wine that is already accessible.

Score : 15/20 (89-90/100)

Les Grandes Serres 2019

Vacqueyras

The wine shows intense ruby colour. The nose is dense and gourmet, revealing nuances of ripe red cherries, a touch of raspberry confiture and strawberry compote, complicated by hints of Mediterranean herbs. The palate is juicy and opulent, offering nice fruit concentration, good freshness and bold, grippy, slightly drying tannins. The wine opens up with exuberant notes of red forest berries and pomegranate, supported by nuances of rosemary and gentian, a bitter hint of coffee in the aftertaste. Astringent finish.

Score : 14.75/20 (88-89/100)

Domaine du Bois de Saint-jean – La Ballade des Anglès 2020

Vacqueyras

The wine shows an attractive, bright ruby colour. The nose is intense, fruity and vibrant, revealing nuances of ripe red cherries, wild strawberries and crushed raspberries, combined with notes of liquorice, sweet spices and black olive tapenade. The palate is round and creamy with extremely well-integrated alcohol, nice freshness, pulpy and juicy texture, fruity, ripe and fluid tannins. Vibrant notes of red berries reverberate on the palate, supported by savoury nuances of black olives, almost soya sauce and Mediterranean herbs. Long and juicy finish. A gourmandise! Score : 16/20 (92/100)

Mas des Restanques - Vacqueyras Rouge 2020

Vacqueyras

(Organic) The wine shows a bright ruby colour. The nose is juicy and perfumed, revealing nuances of roses and violets, notes of black cherries and bramble, a hint of black olives and cocoa. The palate offers a lot of concentration, roundness, gourmandise, refreshing acidity, bold, ripe and juicy tannins, elevated alcohol that is well-balanced by the exuberant fruit. The wine has a distinct dark character, offering nuances of pulpy blackberries, juicy black currants, nuances of black pepper, black olive tapenade and liquorice. Very juicy finish with a pleasant bitter note. Good ageing potential.

Score : 15.25+/20 (90-91/100)

Domaine La Fourmone – Le Poète 2020

Vacqueyras

(Organic) The wine shows a bright ruby colour. The nose is dense and concentrated, revealing notes of ripe dark cherries, nuances of sweet spices with a touch of cumin, anise and liquorice in the echo. The palate is powerful and austere at the moment, with bold, grippy tannins, nice juiciness and muscular body. The wine reveals nuances of fleshy red and black cherries, a touch of blackberries and black currant, a lot of darkness, some umami character with notes of soya sauce and savoury spices. Astringent on the finish, needs time.

Score : 15+/20 (89-90/100)

Domaine de la Charbonnière 2019

Vacqueyras

The wine shows an intense and vivid ruby colour. The nose is a bit restrained, with aeration revealing nuances of dark forest berries, blackberries and black plums, supported by nuances of cedar wood, nutmeg and cloves. The palate is dense and concentrated with good freshness, elevated alcohol and bold, drying, slightly rustic tannins. Notes of ripe dark berries interlace with savoury nuances of black olives, tar and resin, with black pepper and nutmeg in the aftertaste. Bold and muscular wine with a pleasant, savoury finish. Needs time.

Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Domaine de la Charbonnière – Cuvée Spéciale 2019

Vacqueyras

The wine has a deep ruby colour. The nose is restrained, needs aeration to open up. It reveals delicate aromas of red cherries, strawberries, a hint of almond and cherry drupe, a hint of sweet baking spices in the echo. The palate is juicy, warming and powerful, offering bold, ripe, rather astringent tannins and opulent body. It demonstrates nuances of red berries, Mediterranean herbs, a touch of black tea, cinnamon and cloves. Warming, spicy finish. Good length and excellent ageing potential.

Score : 15.5/20 (90-91/100)

Vidal-fleury – Vacqueyras Rouge 2019

Vacqueyras

The wine shows a medium ruby colour with a brightening, slightly garnet rim. The nose is intensely floral, revealing nuances of dried rose petals, cooked strawberries and cherry compote, complicated by notes of rosemary and gentian. The palate is juicy and intense, offering good fruit concentration, nice freshness and delicate, slightly drying, suave tannins. The wine shows its potent Mediterranean character with nuances of spices, dried herbs and garrigue, supported by juicy and ripe red berries. The finish lingers with a slightly bitter, herbal note.

Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Domaine le Clos des Cazaux – Grenat Noble 2018

Vacqueyras

The wine shows a pale ruby garnet colour with a brightening rim. The nose offers nuances of ripe red and black cherries, strawberry compote, a hint of dried leaves and forest floor, a touch of sweet baking spices and nutmeg. The palate reveals intense fruit concentration, bold, astringent tannins and nice freshness, balancing the potent alcohol. The wine opens up with nuances of dried Mediterranean herbs, notes of pungent spices like black pepper, supported by ripe red cherries and strawberries. Still slightly astringent and oaky on the palate, this wine has a good ageing potential. Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)

GIGONDAS RED WINES

Domaine La Fourmone – Le Fauquet 2021

Gigondas

(Organic) The wine has a medium ruby colour, bright and vivid. The nose is slightly reductive and restrained, needs aeration. It opens up with notes of sour red cherries, a touch of strawberries and forest raspberries, a hint of black pepper in the background. The palate is relatively light and delicate, with moderate acidity and chalky, dispersed tannins. The wine opens up with nuances of red cherries and strawberry compote, complicated by notes of Mediterranean herbs and garrigue. Delicate, fruity finish. Score : 14.5/20 (88/100)

Domaine La Fourmone – Le Secret 2020

Gigondas

(Organic) The wine shows a deep ruby purple colour. The nose is restrained, the wine will benefit from being decanted. It opens up reluctantly with nuances of sour dark cherries, juicy blackberries and blueberries, a hint of smoke and tar in the echo. The palate is dense, juicy and “dark”, offering delicate, even elegant structure, refreshing acidity and bold, juicy, well-managed tannins. Notes of juicy dark berries interlace with nuances of sweet spices, cedar wood, a touch of black olive tapenade and resin. Drying finish, still needs time to soften.

Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Mas des Restanques - Gigondas Rouge 2020

Gigondas

(Organic) The wine shows a deep ruby garnet colour. The nose is intense and savoury, revealing appetizing nuances of salted fish, charcuterie, as well as ripe red cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries. The palate is dense and juicy, offering powerful texture, moderate acidity and bold, sticky tannins. The wine opens up with bright notes of red and black cherries, a touch of bramble and blackcurrant, delicate nuances of dried herbs. The finish is warming. Still quite elegant despite the weight and power. Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)