Deep, intense hue. Aromas of fresh black fruit a little meaty, with dried herbs smells. On the palate, the richness of the tannins harmonizes with the smoothness of the wine. The finish is long, with spices aromas, licorice. A typical wine from this specific terroir called "Les Garrigues".
Drinks best between 1 and 7 years.
"A well-built, spicy and textured Vacqueyras red with dark berries, currants, dried herbs and baking spices on the nose, following through to a full body with fine, firm tannins. Spicy and intense mid-palate with a compact finish. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2026."
- James Suckling (May 3rd 2024), 91 pts
"Plenty of smoke and a touch of black pepper, as well as the big blackberry fruit of the Southern Rhone! Full body and the alcohol to go with it, but everything fits nicely together and the wine has a very harmonious, long finish, thanks to the rather fine tannins. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (March 2022), 91 pts
"The 2020 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is slightly more mid-weight, but it too is silky and seamless, with Provençal aromas and flavors, medium body, and silky tannins. Drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years as well."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2023), 90 pts
"The 2019 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is just about as good and has a more open-knit, supple, ready-to-go style. Provençal garrigue, pepper, flowers, sandalwood, and ripe red and black fruits dominate this bouquet, and it’s medium-bodied, with soft tannins and loads of charm. Drink it any time over the coming 7-8 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (January 2022), 92 pts
"Deeper colored, the 2018 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue offers plenty of spicy characteristics as well as dark fruits and classic peppery garrigue. It’s medium to full-bodied, has wonderful fruit, offers ripe tannins, and is just a smoking Vacqueyras with loads to love."
- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2019, Southern Rhône Part 2: 2017 & 2018 from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, and Rasteau), 90-92 pts
"Whiffs of crème de cassis are accented by smoke and char in this full-bodied, juicy red. The palate is quite pristine, loaded with pert blackberry and black cherry flavors juxtaposed by a tangy acidic edge. The finish is long and marked by fine-grained, persistent tannins. Ready now but should hold through 2028. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2020), 90 pts
"Deep brilliant ruby. Heady, mineral-laced red berry liqueur, spicecake and floral aromas are complemented by suggestions of dusty minerals and succulent herbs. Vibrant, sharply focused raspberry and bitter cherry flavors become deeper and sweeter with air and pick up musky licorice and candied lavender nuances. Shows impressive energy and solid thrust on the impressively long, red-fruit-dominated finish, which is given shape by supple, slow-building tannins. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (February 2020), 92-93 pts
"Compared to the Château Mazane release, the Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is always more plush and soft, and the 2017 has sexy, ripe, mouthfilling levels of fruit as well as plenty of peppery garrigue and earth aromas and flavors. It’s complex, has a classic, old-school style, offers loads of character, and is a smoking value. It too is ideal for drinking over the coming 8-10 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2019, Southern Rhône Part 2: 2017 & 2018 from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, and Rasteau), 92 pts
"The Jaume brothers have produced a classic 2016 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue based on 60% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre, Syrah, and very old vine Cinsault. Dark fruits, garrigue, crushed rock-like minerality, and ample spice notes give way to an ultra-classic, balanced 2016 that has a great mid-palate and sweet tannin. Drink this layered, pleasure-bent effort over the coming 7-8 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2018), 92 pts
"Black-plum and mulberry flavors are juicy and plush but not dense or heavy in this elegantly balanced wine. It's rich, ripe and full in body, accented by a crush of granite and notes of rosemary and sage. The finish extends on fine-grained, persistent tannins. - Anna Lee C. IIJIMA"
- Wine Enthusiast (July 2019), 91 pts
"This juicy, gorgeously fruity wine boasts pristine blackberry and mulberry flavors. While lavish in body and concentration, it's nuanced by elegant shades of dried sage, granite and refreshing acidity. Its ripe, persistent tannins should melt nicely over the next 3–5 years. - Anna Lee C. Iijima"
Wine Enthusiast (July 1st 2018), 91pts
Go To Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue
"Slightly more fresh/bright than the Mazane, the 2015 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre) offers pure, clean notes of blackberries, plums, peppery herbs and garrigue. Balanced, medium to full-bodied, nicely textured and with moderate tannin, it's going to keep through 2025."
- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2017), 91 pts
"The plump, sexy and fruit-loaded 2015 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue offers a smorgasbord of Provencal aromas and flavors, with notes of blackberry jam, peppered meats, toasted bread and Asian spice all jumping from the glass. Similar in style to the Cairanne, yet with additional tannic grip, this full-bodied, supple and polished beauty is another no-brainer value from this estate to snatch up. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue 227, October 2016), 90-92 pts
"This is named both for the Plateau des Garrigues, and expanse of limestone and clay covered in galets roulés just north of Sarrians, as well as for the fragrant brush that grows among the stones. Those scents are front and center in this wine, bringing freshness to its dark, gravelly fruit. It feels like it was grown in a forest, the fruit ripe but cool, pristine in its balance."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (February 2017), 92 pts and Year's Best Rhone
"Plump black cherry and plum fruit flavors are carried by caressing structure, picking up dark tea and anise notes on the friendly finish. Drink now. 1,500 cases made."
- Wine Spectator (web only 2016), 88 pts
"Ruby-red. Bright, highly perfumed aromas of red berry liqueur and garrigue, with a smoky top note building slowly. Tangy, precise raspberry and bitter cherry flavors show good energy and back-end lift. Finishes clean, focused and spicy, with silky tannins and resonating red berry character. This suave, fruit-forward wine bears a strong resemblance to a ripe Pinot Noir. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (May 2015), 90-92 pts
"Fleshy and open, with a light cocoa frame around the juicy blackberry and raspberry confiture notes. A graphite hint on the finish keeps this honest. A crowd-pleaser. Drink now. 1,500 cases made. –JM"
- Wine Spectator (October 15th 2015), 89 pts
"Another success from this team is the 2013 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue, which is made from 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre that was brought up all in stainless steel. Offering loads of fruit, a beautiful, supple and hedonistic texture and surprising depth and richness, it will drink beautifully on release and evolve quickly. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 215, October 2014), 88-90 pts
"Representing a superb value, the Alain Jaume 2012 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is a tank-aged blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. It exhibits gorgeous notes of black raspberry, ground herbs, violets and pepper, medium to full-bodied richness and an overall rich, layered personality. More than a little impressive, it should have a solid 7-8 years of longevity. Drink now-2020.- JD"
Wine Advocate (Issue #209, October 2013), 89-92pts
Go To Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue
"The outstanding Alain Jaume 2011 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is primarily Grenache blended with smaller quantities of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault from the high Les Garrigues plateau. Sweet black cherry aromas intermixed with licorice, loamy soil and Provencal herbs are followed by a full-bodied, opulent, decadently rich wine that should drink well for 3-4 years. Vacqueyras continues to over-deliver as an appellation. - RP"
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #208, August 2013), 91pts + BEST BUY
Go To Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue
In the 14th century, during their stay in Avignon, the popes built a papal castle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Impressed by the area’s exceptional terroir surrounding the castle, Pope Jean XXII planted the ...
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