Le Mas Des Flauzieres Vacqueyras Le Pilon 2019
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Dunnuck
Jeb
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Jeb Dunnuck
I loved the 2019 Vacqueyras Le Pilon, a blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah raised in used barrels. Black raspberries, cassis, peppery garrigue, candied flowers, and spicy oak all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a lush, layered, mouth-filling texture and outstanding length. This fruit-loaded, pleasure-bent beauty.
Jérôme Benoit, the son, on completion of his studies in agronomy and enology, decided to create his wine making cellar and has been marketing his wines since 2002. The property extends over several villages from Mont Ventoux to the protected site of Dentelles de Montmirail.
This rare advantage of finding in the same family domain several names, will take you from the fruity, lively Côtes du Ventoux to the great and vigorous vintages of the universally known Gigondas.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
This charming appellation within the Côtes du Rhône Villages was second only to Gigondas to earn its own village appellation status. Its wines may be red, rosé or white—though hardly any is white. Its high winemaking standards follow many of the same rules as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. But for Vacqueyras red wines, half of the grapes have to be Grenache and the remainder is usually a combination of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault.
While they can be robust and rustic in style, typically a great Vacqueyras red combines delicate aromas with intense fruit and a bright, crisp texture. They certainly don’t lack any character and show an abundance of black cherry, wild berry, plum, fig, baking spice, and a touch of game or smoke.