2014 Domaine du Grand Montmirail, Vacqueyras, Le Soleil de Rosalie, Rhone Red, France.
The 2014 Domaine du Grand Montmirail Vacqueryras is a gorgeous and surprising haunting Rhone with real terroir expression and amazing life and character with the Syrah really shinning through at this stage with black and blue fruits bursting from the glass with peppercorns, lavender/sage and violets adding incredible dynamics. No question here, Yves Cheron, winemaker here at Domaine du Grand Montmirail, has made a special wine in 2014 from his hillside vines in Vacqueryras and while known more for his Gigondas, this vintage of Vacqueryras is the star, made from 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and about 10% Mourvedre, it was de-stemmed, and fermented with native yeasts in cement, all temp controlled to keep maximum freshness, and aged without any oak all in enamel lined vats that sit under ground to keep cool. The Cheron family came from Burgundy, and Yves studied there and has that kind of pursuit of elegance in his winemaking, he certainly allows the vineyards to speak in their true voice and I can say, this 2014 is about the best example of Vacqueryras I can ever remember and especially for the price!This is a southern Rhone with the unique qualities of a northern Rhone, it’s like you took a nice Nuits-St.-Georges, a St.-Joseph and Chateauneuf-du-Pape and added a rosemary twig, it’s seductively graceful, dark fruited and has lovely spiciness and earthy notes with fine textures! The nose is gorgeously pure with natural garrigue and violets, deep color in the glass and copious black raspberry, boysenberry, tangy currant, damson plum and a blueberry/strawberry compote along with a mixed array of spices, herbs, hints of olive, licorice and a peppery thrill. Sweet tannins, vibrant acidity and lingering liqueur notes add to the joyousness of this medium weight, almost full, Rhone red, it’s everything you’d want and expect with an extra bit of wow factor, I’m totally hooked here, this is vividly clear, mysterious with remote beauty, very sexy stuff!
($22 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
