Vacqueyras

Laurent has increased his vineyard holdings in Vacqueyras by 1.5 hectares. The eight-hectare total, spread over several parcels, makes up this blend of Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (20%) and Syrah (15%). Dark plum and red cherry notes take on a supporting role in relation to a dominant herbal character, with hints of lavender. The rich and concentrated core is balanced by juicy acidity and firm, powdery tannins. Drink now to 2023.

This is quintessential Vacqueyras. Tobacco, black cherry and red berried fruit dominate the nose, while the palate is weighty, with a sweet kernel of fruit, excellent balance and a spicy, slightly earthy finish.

Our 2012 Rhône Vintage Recommendation: Best-value Southern Rhône
Another great-value wine which delivers a host of mineral-character qualities with a persistent volume of pure, almost liquorice, fruit – a lovely mouthful and further proof of what the Rhône can offer at an agreeably honest price.
Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager

Planted in 1990, the vines are still far from senescent, and the wine seems to gain in complexity with every passing year. The blend is 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah. Impeccable balance as always with flavours evocative of loganberry and raspberry and a whisper from the kitchen garden at the back of the palate.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer

La Bastide St Vincent has had a terrific couple of years, so much so that these two exemplary wines are now on allocation. Such is the price of success, I suppose. When we introduced the domaine to the UK nearly a decade ago, we had an extensive blind tasting of some of the great and the good from these two famous villages. Laurent’s wines excelled then, and continue to do so now.

Laurent’s initial anxieties about relatively low levels of acidity in the Grenache have been dispelled over the élevage period. The Vacqueyras is certainly fresh and juicy – its fruit sourced from ten parcels and dominated by the 75 percent of tank-aged Grenache. Approachable and ripe, yet discretely structured, this works very well and can be drunk in relative youth. Drink 2018-2026.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

Flanking the evocatively named Dentelles de Montmirail, with vines on the equally evocative Plateau des Garrigues, La Bastide Saint Vincent is a delightful, family-owned wine domaine with 17th century origins. The unassuming Laurent Daniel never overworks his fruit and his fruit repays him with interest; a very subtle producer of supple wines. Laurent was happy with both quality and quantity in 2015–a vintage which he compares, somewhat against the trend, to 2007.

The Clos in question is a single vineyard, with a distinctive blue clay terroir and more Syrah in the blend, which is shared equally with Grenache. Boundless finesse ensues, with elegant dark fruit flavours to the fore, finely etched tannins and a distinctly peppery lick on the finish. Drink 2020-2024.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

From 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the wine has a charming nose of  blackberries and truffle. Its texture is expansive and velvety, with all the charm of the vintage generously thrilling the palate.

The smoky quality on the palate would make it a great match for chargrilled food as that method of cooking imparts similar flavours and the weight of the wine would stand up to the robust flavours of the meat. Also delicious with stronger flavoured meats like pigeon. Why not try cracking one open on a Sunday afternoon with some friends over and the barbecue lit?
(Simon Field MW BBR Rhône Buyer)

A cold Mistral and the legacy of 2008 kept yields down in 2009; the corollary to this is a wine of great concentration and poise. This is a Vacqueyras of great purity and focus with red fruits, aniseed and hints, appropriately enough, of the garrigue. It is very silky with a long finish.

Sourced from six small parcels on the famous Plateau des Garrigues, the Pavane is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah from 40 year old vines. The wine displays classic notes of licorice, macerated prune and autumnal bonfires, with chewy tannins and plenty of savoury guts in reserve!
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

The evocative names of the surrounding landmarks, specifically the Plateau Des Garrigues and the Dentelles De Montmirail, provide a scenic geographical backdrop to Laurent Daniel’s vineyards. Silky elegance, real Mediterranean warmth and finely balanced tannins are the secrets to Laurent’s success, not forgetting more prosaic factors such as timely picking of the grapes and attention to detail in the winery.