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.

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.

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.

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.

Situated on eight hectares of archetypical Vacqueyras clay on the appellation’s eponymous plateau and near to the domaine itself, Le Clos performed especially well in 2015. Its personality inspired Christine’s “la concentration délicate” description, which flirts with contradiction in the same way as the wine manages to combine black fruit power and a gently tapered, refined finish. Drink 2019-2026.
Simon Field MW-Wine Buyer

Christine and Eric Saurel own 70 hectares around the villages of Vacqueyras and Gigondas, all farmed in accordance with rigorous biodynamic principles. An initial modest scepticism at their almost obsessive fascination with the lunar patterns and so forth has been countered, over the years, by the sheer quality of the wines. Christine describes her goals in terms of “luminosité”, an intangible and almost ethereal term, yet one which seems strangely appropriate and is explained most eloquently by the wines themselves. 

A wine of great purity and focus, with red fruits,
aniseed and hints – appropriately enough – of the
garrigue. The wine is made up of 70 percent Grenache
and 30 percent Syrah, the age of the Grenache
being at least 60-years-old. Christine describes the
fermentation process in terms of an infusion delicacy
being key and the temperature kept no higher than
28 degrees. The resulting style she describes as une
bonne amertune, the apparently bittersweet oxymoron
explained most lucidly by the wine itself. Drink
2019-2023.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

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