Domaine de Fontavin, Vacqueyras, France

楓丹酒莊瓦給拉斯紅葡萄酒

點擊次數(shù)：4901

The only Vacqueyras I was able to taste, the 2012 Vacqueyras Tradition (75% Grenache and 25% Mourvedre) is fresh and upfront, with perfumed raspberry, underbrush and crushed flower-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, sweetly fruited and with fine tannin, it makes the most of the vintage and is a fun drink. Enjoy it over the coming 3-5 years. Importer: Milton Road Trading, LLC, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 948-MRTC and Vins du Midi Wine Importing, Eugene, OR; tel. (541) 485-0151

While this estate owns over 100 acres in the southern Rhone, the Chouvet family has only 5 acres in Vacqueyras. A blend of 75% Grenache (from vines over 100 years in age) and 25% Mourvedre from biodynamically farmed vineyards, the 2009 Vacqueyras exhibits lots of black cherry and berry fruit intermixed with hints of roasted herbs, tobacco leaf and spice box. It is an attractive, silky smooth effort with ripe tannin as well as a medium-bodied finish. It should drink well for 4-5 years. (Not yet released) This is another estate that did not want to present their 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape (which I didn’t particularly care for last year), but both 2009s showed very well. Again, I question whether there needs to be a special cuvee, given the minor differences in quality, but perhaps the decision by so many producers to make prestige cuvees in 2009 will be justified with another 6-12 months of upbringing in tank, barrel, or foudres. Importer: Milton Road Trading, LLC, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 948-MRTC, and Vins du Midi Wine Importing, Eugene, OR; tel. (541) 485-0151

With only five acres in Vacqueyras, this excellent estate has produced an outstanding example with its blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Mourvedre aged 15 months in tank. The wine is a big, muscular style 2007, but at the same time very seductive due to the exceptional levels of plum, fig, and black currant fruit intermixed with tobacco leaf, licorice, and earth. With plenty of spice to it, this dense, full wine cuts a broad, impressively powerful, yet pure feel across the palate. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. As I have indicated before, few appellations in France have as many women in prominent positions of power as does Chateauneuf du Pape. Here’s another such estate, in this case run by oenologist Helene Chouvet, that is making better and better wines with each new vintage. No known American importer.