2007 Alain Jaume - Vacqueras

The 2007 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is another beauty. An unusual blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault, its floral, black cherry, and candied berry notes are followed by an earthy, round, full-bodied wine with lots of pepper, garrigue, and spice box. It should be consumed over the next 5-7 years. This is one of the most ambitious estates as well as burgeoning negociant operations in Chateauneuf du Pape. The two Jaume brothers, Sebastien and Christophe, continue to ratchet up the level of quality with a bevy of brilliant Chateauneuf du Papes and for bargain hunters, some top-flight offerings that include generic Cotes du Rhones as well as Cotes du Rhone-Villages. They also produce an impressive Gigondas. The estate wines, bottled under the name Domaine Grand Veneur, include two of the finest white Chateauneuf du Papes of the village (they own 5 acres of white grapes, a relatively large amount when only 3-4% of the appellation's production is in white wine). Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228