2015 Domaine la Garrigue Vacqueyras "La Cantarelle"

La Cantarelle is a cuvée created by Philippe Cambie (4th Generation winemaker) and based on a plot of century old Grenache vines, that displays immense complexity and resolve once bottled. The concentration that only old-vines can bring, empowers La Cantarelle, constructing a dense wine with plenty of structure submerged behind black-fruit flavors. Once the wine has opened up it becomes evident that the 2015 Domaine la Garrigue La Cantarelle is refined, powerful, and irresistible. 

Domaine la Garrigue was founded in 1850 by the same family that runs the property today, Famille Bernard. Siblings Maxime, Pierre and Martine Bernard, of the 5th generation are at the helm of the estate, covering 200 acres. They farm vines of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache Blanc and Clairette with vines averaging 50 years old and some well over a century. The talented Virginie Combe, a member of the 6th generation, leads the charge for winemaking with guidance from Philippe Cambie. Together the family produces first-class wines from the S. Rhone!

Saddle leather, chocolate, peppery herbs and savory red and black fruits emerge from the 2015 Vacqueyras La Cantarelle. A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, it's a ripe, sexy, concentrated 2015 that has terrific tannin quality, a plump, sumptuous texture, and a great finish. It’s a blockbuster Vacqueyras that readers shouldn’t miss! ~94JD

The 2015 Vacqueyras la Cantarelle features wonderfully prominent scents of lavender and bay leaf alongside plenty of raspberry fruit. This medium to full-bodied blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah is supple on the mid-palate, then spicy and firm on the finish, gradually growing into an intense yet elegant wine. Drink it now and over the next 5-8 years. ~92 RP

(aged in concrete vats for 18 months) Lurid ruby. Intensely perfumed raspberry and cherry liqueur, potpourri and Asian spice scents are complemented by a smoky mineral nuance. Juicy, penetrating and appealingly sweet, showing energetic red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors and chewy texture. Smoothly balances richness and vivacity and shows no excess weight. Finishes very long and nervy, with youthfully firm tannins and a strong echo of candied flowers. ~92Vinous