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The Estate:
The Domaine was founded in 1905 by Gabriel Archimbaud and is now run by Maurice Vache and his two sons Jean-Michel and Frédéric. The Archimbaud and Vache families are among the oldest ones in Vacqueyras. The oldest part of the property dates back to the 12th century and belonged to "Les Chevaliers de l'Ordre des Templiers" (the Templar Knights). An ancient Moorish Tower sits on the property, the Tower of Sarrazine in ruins.
Jean-Michel Vache
The Vineyard:
The estate spreads over 40 hectares (98.8 acres) of vineyard land:
- 25 ha in Gigondas. The quality of the soil is outstanding and the sun exposure is optimal due to the special location of the vineyard, surrounded by the rocky massif of the "Dentelles de Montmirail", upon which is built the Sarrazine tower.
- 15 ha in Vacqueyras, on sandy-clayey and sunny slopes.
The vineyards are planted to 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. The vines are 40-50 year old. The annual production is 8,800 to 10,000 cases. The average yield is 28 hl/ha.
The vines are cultivated with utmost respect to the environment. Only Bordeaux mixture (antifungal agent consisting of a solution of copper sulfate and quicklime) and sulfur is used in the phytosanitary (pertaining to the health of plant) and vineyard treatment. At all times, the vineyards are manually tended, including manual harvest. To ensure optimal quality, only the best grapes are selected during a green harvest in Summer which eliminates at least 20% of the production.
Each grape variety is picked at its optimum maturity and vinified separately.
Winemaker's Notes:
75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. 45 year old vines on average.
Intense, persistent red and dark fruit aromas. Raspberry, pepper and spice flavors. Silky tannins.
Enjoy with game meat or strong cheeses.
Expert Reviews:
"This estate’s 2007 Gigondas La Tour Sarrazine is a winner. Seductive notes of kirsch liqueur, garrigue, pepper, and lavender soar from the glass of this expressive, open-knit, round, ripe, medium to full-bodied, lush, succulent Gigondas. With outstanding purity and abundant upfront fruit and appeal, it can be enjoyed over the next 6-7 years."
- Wine Advocate (October 09), 90 pts
"Ruby-red. Fragrant, floral bouquet of raspberry, cherry and smoky herbs, with a zesty minerality adding vivacity. Sweet red fruit and floral pastille flavors stain the palate, with an exotic note of blood orange providing further lift. I would bet on this racy wine's ability to age well on its balance."
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jan. 10), 91 pts
Our Promise:
“If we haven’t touched the vine, then we don’t sell the wine”. Timeless Wines still stands by this true statement, unlike most of our competitors. Our owner has visited the vineyard of every wine we offer! We promise our customer never to offer them a wine from a producer we have not visited and inspected personally.
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