2015 Le Domaine Montirius
Vacqueyras
‘Garrigues’
Regular Price $27.99
Sale Price $21.99
I first meet Christine Saurel nearly 15 years ago and then had the opportunity to visit her and husband Eric at their southern Rhone estate a few years later. Then, the wine world was just discussing the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming, while the Saurels’ had already jumped in with both feet, absolutely convinced that practices that were good for the soil, vine and grape, would also benefit the wine. Then, as now, I had no reason to doubt them. Their wines are spectacular.
To the east of and adjoining Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras is a quarter of the size of its more famous neighbor. 97% of the production is of red wine, mostly of Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre and Syrah. Vines have been planted here for centuries, but it wasn’t until 1990 that Vacqueyras was recognized as its own appellation.
The Saurels are fifth-generation growers in the region and the sixth is now poised to join the team. Their wines are fresh, elegant and rich and structured, without any barrel aging. Vinfied entirely in concrete vats, they are then aged in the same vats for a period of two years. The resulting wines are balanced and refined without overwhelming oak flavors or wood tannins.
This wine is called ‘Garrigues’ due to the aromas of the ‘weeds’ (or ‘Garrigues’) allowed to grow between the rows of vines : thyme, rosemary, and wild lavender. Coupled with the dense red fruits and the peppery spice of the Grenache and Syrah, this wine is everything a wine lover desires.