Domaine le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers, Rhone, France

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A bit of tar and green onion are apparent on the nose of the 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers, a 50-50 blend of Syrah and Grenache. Those elements should prove less bothersome with decanting or additional bottle age, as the underlying medium-bodied wine is sound, offering cola, black olives and dark berries/plums. Firm tannins on the finish would work well with rare grilled meats or roasts.

A step up over the Gigondas cuvee, the 2014 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers has Bordeaux-like herbal notes as well plenty of darker fruits, pepper and olives. It might push on some readers' green radar, but it has solid fruit on the palate and medium-bodied richness, with ripe tannin. I’d drink bottles in their youth.

Coming from the estate’s Vacqueyras holdings, the 2013 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers is made from equal parts Grenache and Syrah that was raised in a combination of concrete tank and stainless steel. It’s a pretty, peppery and medium-bodied effort that doesn’t have much mid-palate or concentration, but has plenty of Provencal charm in its straightforward personality. It’s best consumed over the coming 4-5 years.

Both of these Vacqueyras are good efforts. The 2012 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templier has plenty of Proven?al character in its black cherry, peppery, leather and green herbs-styled bouquet. Brought up all in tank, enjoy this medium-bodied, supple and nicely textured effort through 2020.

The only 2011 Vacqueyras I was able to taste, and a tank-aged blend of equal parts Syrah and Grenache, the 2011 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templier is a classic Vacqueyras with is upfront, beautifully fruited profile. Offering up loads of bright berry fruit, loamy earth, flowers and hints of old leather, it has a voluptuous, soft and easygoing feel that will make it ideal for drinking over the coming 3-5 years. Founded in 1905, Clos des Cazaux is run today by Maurice Vache and his two sons, Jean-Michel and Frederic. Covering roughly 60 acres in Gigondas and 37 in Vacqueyras, this estate produces a number of cuvees, with the style being predominantly traditional; however, some new oak barrels are used for the Syrah. This is a rock-solid lineup of wines. Importers: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Arborway Imports, Lexington, MA; tel. (781) 863-1753; and Riservati, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 623-5758