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When it comes to wine, it only takes one word to make you sound sophisticated, turn you into a savvy shopper, and fill your glass with delicious, world-class wine: Vacqueyras.
Nestled in the Southern Rhône Valley at the base of the Dentelles de Montmirail, northeast of revered Châteauneuf-du-Pape and southwest of Gigondas, Vacqueyras has produced red wines of distinction for far longer than when it was elevated to Cru status in 1990. Approximately 95% of the wine produced here is red and they are blends. Grenache must make up a minimum of 50%, while Syrah and Mourvèdre must make up a minimum of 20%. These three grapes must account for at least 90% of the wine. A true GSM.
Vacqueyras comes from Latin and means “Valley of Stones.” It is no surprise then that the soil types of this region are pebbles, granite, limestone, sandy, and clay. With its location at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a cooler microclimate than the sun-baked Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras produces a more elegant wine with lighter body and tannic structure, and lower alcohol than its more illustrious neighbor. The quality is every bit as good as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it’s just that the style is slightly different. However, while the entry level Châteauneuf-du-Pape might begin around $35, that is more of the top end of Vacqueyras.
This brings us to our March wine of the month, the 2021 Vignoble Edmond Latour Vacqueyras. A fourth generation producer run by Bernard Latour, his wife, and two sons, Julian and Emilie, the wine is named for their grandfather, Edmond Latour.
The wine is medium ruby in the glass and on the nose exhibits garrigue and dried black fruit. The palate confirms the nose with dried blackberry and black cherry on the midpalate, followed by black pepper, but the star is the garrigue (rosemary, thyme, and sage). Tannins and acid are medium and the body is medium minus. A delicate, wine with just the right amount of fruit. Well balanced with a long finish. An excellent representation of Vacqueyras and best enjoyed now. Amazingly, this wine can be purchased for around $22.
For making a wine that captures the essence of its village at a great price, the 2021 Vignoble Edmond Latour Vacqueyras is our March wine of the month.
Purchase the wine from Hi-Time Wine Cellars here: https://www.hitimewine.net/vignoble-edmond-latour-2022-vacqueyras-345657.
