2021 Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux, Vacqueyras AOC Blanc, Un Sang Blanc, Rhône Valley, France.
An absolute stunner in the glass, this Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux Un Sang Blanc is a gorgeous and richly flavored Vacqueyras Rhone white, very similar to a Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc with a blend of Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne and Marsanne (which isn’t found in Châteauneufs) grapes, all organic, that are fermented in a combination of vessels from young vine plots set on classic clay and limestone with an overlay of galets roulés, round river stones. Famous for the Vacqueyras Rouge wines, this was the first time I’d seen or tasted their Un Sang Blanc and I was blown away, this is a thrilling wine with a beautiful layering of minerally fruits, including dense peach/apricot stone fruit, racy tangerine, a touch of crisp apple, along with almond paste, butter creme, saline infused wet stone, white flowers, verbena, citron oil and a sensual texture that hints at wood and wax, but with plenty of zesty freshness to keep things balanced. If you’ve had Vieux Telegraphe Blanc, Beaucastel Blanc or Pegau Reserve Blanc, you’ll see a lot of the same characteristics and quality here in this Domaine La Sang des Cailloux Blanc and savvy enthusiasts of white Rhônes will want to chase this utterly delicious rarity down as soon as possible. Winemaker Serge Férigoule’s Vacqueyras Blanc “Un Sang Blanc” a relatively new addition to Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux’s lineup it is actually his most rare and expensive offering and well worth it, in my humble opinion, it is now on my must follow list.
As mentioned, in my latest reviews, it was a thrill for me to meet and taste with Serge Férigoule of Le Sang des Cailloux, a legend in the Southern Rhône region and synonymous with the Vacqueyras region, these wines are incredible and soulful efforts that sit somewhere between the famous Chateauneuf du Pape and, the higher (up) in the Dentelles, Gigondas, but with their own distinction and sultry depth. Férigoule, who is almost as well known for his barbell mustache as his fantastic wines recent held court at importer Kermit Lynch’s 50th Anniversary Portfolio Tasting in San Francisco and showed off his latest releases, which was a huge highlight for me, as I’ve long admired his wines. For The Blanc, all from 10 year old vines, farmed certified biodynamic, Férigoule did a care selection in the vineyards and fermented different varietal lots in a mix of tonneaux, larger foudre and even some in sandstone amphora, after which the wine was blended and aged on the lees in 1 to 3 year old barrels for close to 12 months. As much as I love the rustic and powerful reds here at Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux, like the Lopy Vacqueyras Rouge, this Un Sang Blanc really impressed me and I would love to re-visit it in another 5 to 7 years, though that may not ever be possible. Serge Férigoule, Mr. Vacqueyras, and his Domaine le Sang des Cailloux, founded in 1990, which means “the blood of the stones” are legends of the Southern Rhône. The wines are as authentic as is Serge’s much loved exquisite mustache and wry smile, this is a man who lives and breathes the terroir here and all of his being and soul go into these wines, I highly recommend them, and in particular this one!
($66 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive