Xavier Vignon Vacqueyras 2022

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service. After studying enology in Montpellier and gaining experience working both in France and abroad, Xavier Vignon began producing his own wines in the southern Rhône Valley in the early 2000s, initially buying grapes from local winemakers. Today, his company has around 35 hectares of vineyards and his wines are considered among the most emblematic of the region. Xavier Vignon's Vacqueyras is a blend of Grenache Noir, from terraced vineyards on pebble soils, Syrah, from vineyards on clay-limestone and clay-alluvial soils, and small additions of Mourvèdre. After the harvest, the vinification takes place in concrete tanks. Grenache and Mourvedre are then aged in concrete tanks for a year and a half, while the Syrah rests for 6 months in concrete and a year in barrels. In the glass, the wine reveals an intense color with dark red hues and a broad and complex aromatic profile with notes of blackberry, plum, raspberry, Mediterranean herbs, and dried figs, followed by peppery and floral notes. On the palate, it is round, fruity, and well-structured. It is concentrated and elegant with well-integrated tannins and a long, slightly spicy finish. It is the ideal wine for a lightly spiced beef stew or a lamb tagine.

Price: £15.53 from 8wines UK