Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes

Producer Patrick Lesec Selections (Southern Rhône) Region Southern Rhône, France Encepagement and Elevage for 2007 Vintage 80% Grenache 40 years old 20% Syrah 20 years old Clay-limestone soil with pebbles 35 hectoliters per hectare Harvested by hand Destemmed 21 day maceration Elevage in 1-4 year old barrels Encepagement 80% Grenache 20% Syrah Vines 40-70 years old Encepagement and Elevage for 2005 Vintage 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah 50-70 year old vineyards 50% in older barrels, 50% in stainless steel Elevage for 2004 Vintage Two-thirds destemmed. Aged in foudre, tank, and 15% in older barrels. Not fined or filtered. Elevage for 2003 Vintage Two-thirds destemmed. 10% aged in older barrels, 90% aged in tank. Not fined or filtered. Elevage for 2000 and 2001 Vintages Two-thirds destemmed. 1/3 aged in foudre, 2/3 aged in tank. Not fined or filtered. Description The ancient vines give this cuvée a wonderfully pure, thick, black currant character in the nose and in the mouth. The wine is dense and sweet and rich and quite delightful. Reviews for 2000 Vintage From the Wine Advocate, #145 (Feb 2003): "Points: 92. A brilliant cuvee, the Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes is a tank-fermented and aged blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. It is an exceptional, full-bodied, opulent, voluptuous effort displaying loads of licorice, kirsch liqueur, pepper, and glycerin. This is a pedal to the metal Vacqueyras that represents what the southern Rhone can do so well in great vintages. The wine offers immense hedonistic pleasure. The 2000 has a life span of 5-10 years. This is a must buy!" © The Wine Advocate From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2003): "Points: 90. Saturated medium ruby. Exotically ripe aromas of creme de cassis, blackcurrant jam, bitter chocolate and mint. Dense, sweet and pliant; superripe and layered. Lush tannins nicely covered by chocolatey fruit. Finishes with excellent subtle length. (My sample of the young '01 showed at least equal concentration but had too much carbonic gas to assess with confidence.)" © International Wine Cellar Review for 2001 Vintage From the Wine Advocate, #145 (Feb 2003): "Points: 90-92. A brilliant cuvee, the Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes is a tank-fermented and aged blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. It is an exceptional, full-bodied, opulent, voluptuous effort displaying loads of licorice, kirsch liqueur, pepper, and glycerin. This is a pedal to the metal Vacqueyras that represents what the southern Rhone can do so well in great vintages. The wine offers immense hedonistic pleasure. The 2001 possesses more definition as well as firmer tannin than the 2000. This is a must buy!" © The Wine Advocate Review for 2003 Vintage From the Wine Advocate, #156 (Dec 2004): "Points: 89-92. The fattest, richest, and densest of this trio is the 2003 Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes (90% Grenache and 10% Syrah), which is aged in both wood foudres and tanks. High in alcohol, with loads of glycerin as well as low acidity, this heady Provencal concoction delivers abundant fruit along with mouth-saturating levels of fat and substance. There is not a hard edge to be found in this seamless offering. It should drink well for 7-8 years." © The Wine Advocate From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2006): "Points: 90. Medium red. Fragrant and warm on the nose, with dark berry fruit accented by exotic oak spice. Sweet and round in the mouth, with flavors of blackberry, blackcurrant and mocha. Finishes with lush berry flavors and sexy oak tones." © International Wine Cellar Reviews for 2007 Vintage From the Wine Advocate, #181 (February 2009) Points 89-91 “The 2007 Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes boasts a dense ruby/purple hue, velvety tannins, sweet blackberry and black currant fruit, and medium to full-body.   Drink over the next 7-8 years.” © The Wine Advocate

Home | Wine Portfolio | Philosophy | Company | Contact Us |