"Very racy, with lots of red and black currant fruit backed by a great graphite spine. Offers nice hints of licorice, spice and iron on the finish."

Drink now through 2012 –JM

Smart Buys. 91 points, WineSpectator June 15, 2008

Our Organic Cotes du Rhône Perrin Nature and our Vacqueyras Perrin les christins have received an award at the 2007 Decanter world wine awards.

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'An opulent forward youthful nose, bursting with sweet black fruits and rhubarb compote. Youth gives the palate a slightly one dimensional overtly fruity palate, but there is firm structure there also supporting the rich warm finish. Excellent wine.'

Silver medal at the 2007 international wine and spirit competition

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'Packed with ripe fig, licorice and currant paste flavors, backed by cocoa and graphite notes. The dark, muscular finish has some serious grip, so cellar short-term to let it around to form. Best from 2008 through 2010'
Smart Buy. 91 points. Wine Spectator, May 31 issue

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James Moleworth, Senior editor and lead taster on the wines of the Rhône for the wine spectator, does a video tasting of our Perrin Vacqueyras 2004. Nice video, thank you James.
(all WS videos are here)

On our vacqueyras Perrin et Fils ‘les Christins’ 2001, our chef Laurent Deconinck has created this:
rabbit ‘rouzigue’ with juniper, potatoes ‘fondantes’ with thyme, reduced cooking juice.

see the tasting note from James Molesworth.

The following informations are general informations about Vacqueyras. These are not specific about Perrin et Fils or Beaucastel wines.

Vineyards: these are spread over the 2 communes of Vacqueyras and Sarrians, which stand at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail in the French Department of the Vaucluse.

Soil types: alluvial deposits and glacier terraces dating from the Riss period (ice age period ice period from the 1st Quaternary period, 120,000 - 300,000 years ago).

Climate: hot and dry, particularly high levels of sunshine
 
Background: following the A.O.C. Côtes du Rhône Decree in 1937, Vacqueyras was one of the first villages to be acknowledged for the quality of its classified wines which were first classified “Côtes du Rhône Vacqueyras” in 1955, then, in 1995, as Côtes du Rhône Villages Vacqueyras.
Vacqueyras was consecrated Local Appellation in 1990.

Area under cultivation*: 1300 hectares, yearly production: 48000 hl, basic yield : 36 hl/hectare.

Grape variety mix: for the red (97% of production), Grenache black (at least 50%), Syrah, Mourvèdre (at least 20%) ; other Côtes du Rhône grape varieties , excluding Carignan, maximum 10%.

For the rosé (1% of production), Grenache (60% maximum), Mourvèdre and Cinsault (at least 15%).

For the whites (2% of production), Clairette, Grenache white , Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, each of which must not exceed 80% of the grape variety mix.

Pruning: Guyot for the Viognier ; for the other grape varieties, short goblet pruning or Royat cordon pruning of up to a maximum of 7 spurs and 2 eyes. Planting: minimum of 4,000 vine plants hectare.

Wine making: minimum alcoholic strength 12.5% for the reds, 12% for the rosé and whites. Grapes are crushed and then fermentation takes place in vats for a minimum of 8 to 10 days; the free run wine is racked. Maturation: 12 to 18 months at 13°-15°.

VACQUEYRAS LES CHRISTINS -AOC VACQUEYRAS - RED

The vineyard
The vineyard covers 11 hectares, and is leased by us and managed by the Beaucastel team.
It lies within the commune of Sarrians, South of the Dentelles de Montmirail, between Carpentras and Vaison-la-Romaine.
The vines are old (average age 50 years).

Geology
Stony terraces, over clay and sand with traces of cobalt oxide.

Grape varieties
75% Grenache, 25% Syrah.

Winemaking
The grapes are harvested in 25 kg boxes. After crushing, they are slowly fermented for a month in 50 hectolitre vats. Blending takes place after malo-lactic fermentation.

Maturing
Half in tanks and half in casks.

Tasting notes
Clearly a wine from a warm place, with its amber hues and richness of texture.
The nose is reminiscent of morello cherries, flowers and liquorice.
On the palate it shows an unctuous texture and is rich and concentrated.

Serving
This is a fine bottle from a great terroir.
It will go perfectly with beef, lamb and dishes containing black truffles.