Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2015

Colline Saint Jean Vacqueyras Rouge is made from 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre.

Dense ruby/purple color as well as an impressive bouquet of red and black fruits (cherry, raspberry, black currant), licorice, garrigue and pepper.
The wine is dense, full-bodied, opulent and impressively endowed with sweet, well-integrated tannins.

Harvested by hand. Traditional vinification. Skin-contact maceration for 20 days in cement vats. Ageing: 70% in cement vats and 30% in oak barrels.

Pairs well with red meat, white meat, game dishes in macerate sauce and cheese.

Review:

"What looks to be a smokin’ good wine, the 2015 Vacqueyras dishes up tons of smoked herbs, licorice, spice and ripe dark fruits in a rounded, impressively textured style. Made from 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and a splash of Mourvèdre, mostly destemmed and aged in concrete (there’s a small part in foudre), it should provide tons of pleasure over the coming decade. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #228, December 2016), 90-92 pts

Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is made from 65% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Old vines Cinsault

Deep, intense hue. Aromas of fresh black fruit a little meaty, with dried herbs smells. On the palate, the richness of the tannins harmonizes with the smoothness of the wine. The finish is long, with spices aromas, licorice. A typical wine from this specific terroir called "Les Garrigues".

Soil type Vacqueyras is located right next to Gigondas AOC. It mostly streches on Sarrians territory, where is the famous plateaux named “Les Garrigues”. This area is made of clay and rocks. The beautiful landscape of the “garrigue” is typical of the mediterranean area. The wines itself smell the spices, the dried herbs…you will taste the “Garrigue” in your glass, welcome to Provence … Winemaking & ageing Traditional winemakeing methods, temperature controlled fermentation. Long soaking on the skins.

Review:

   "The plump, sexy and fruit-loaded 2015 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue offers a smorgasbord of Provencal aromas and flavors, with notes of blackberry jam, peppered meats, toasted bread and Asian spice all jumping from the glass. Similar in style to the Cairanne, yet with additional tannic grip, this full-bodied, supple and polished beauty is another no-brainer value from this estate to snatch up. - Jeb Dunnuck"

- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 227, October 28th 2016), 90-92 pts

Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers is a  blend of 50% Syrah, 50% Grenache.
Deep color. Intense and persistent red fruits, spice and violet aromas. Intense black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and cherry flavors. Explosive fruit tannins give the sweet, creamy flavors structure and focus, bright and uplifting on the finish.

Enjoy this wine when young with grilled beef and bearnaise sauce, lamb and thyme. After 7-10 years excellent with game meats.

Review:

"Lastly, the 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers is made from an even split of Grenache and Syrah that was raised in concrete and stainless-steel tanks. Its ruby/plum color is followed by a medium to full-bodied, ripe, rounded effort that gives up outstanding notes of blackcurrants, thyme, leafy herbs and hints of pepper. This beauty is just more evidence for how good 2015 was for Vacqueyras."

- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2017), 91 pts

Closeout!

65% Chenin Blanc, 13% Chardonnay, 17% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Viognier

A polished light yellow gold color, this wine has a bouquet of citrus blossom with hazelnut, lemon grass and butterscotch undertones. The wine has a soft sweet entry with a racy linear acidity. Ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours evolve into a lovely lingering dry earthy finish. This is a textured white wine with layers of flavour. Drink 2014-2024.

Reviews:

The 2015 White Blend Terrasse comprises 56% Chenin Blanc, 17% Viognier, 14% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Chardonnay, raised for 12 months in French oak. It has quite an aromatic bouquet of white peach, freshly sliced grapefruit and a touch of lychee, all well defined and vivacious. The palate is very well balanced with a slightly resinous, waxy opening, the Viognier here making its presence felt. There is a pleasant salinity on the finish with a gorgeous brightness and tension. This is a strong follow-up to the outstanding 2014.

- Wine Advocate, 93 pts

The Viognier component of this Chenin Blanc-based blend with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay was increased to 17% in 2015, but it was also picked earlier to retain acidity. The result is a very harmonious cuvee: rose water, aniseed, tangerine, some stone fruit and a tangy, refreshing finish. 2017-21"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2017 Special Report), 93 pts

This Chenin Blanc-based blend, with additional portions of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, is delicate in nature, though complex and layered beneath it's reserved surface. It boasts notes of apple flesh, melon rind, yellow flower, fynbos and beeswax on the nose and mouth, with final impressions of orange pith and lemon zest on the enduing finish. Harmonouos and well-balanced, it offers a pleasant, softly astringent texture that lends structure to the medium-weight palate and length to the close. Drink now–2023.

– Wine Enthusiast 93 Points

"This bristles with quinine, mirabelle plum, blanched almond and lemon pith notes, while crackling acidity runs underneath. Rich melon and yellow apple details fill in through the finish, adding bass to match the treble. Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2019. 625 cases made.–JM"

- Wine Spectator (May 31st 2017), 92 pts

Medium yellow green. Fine nuances of ripe apricot, a hint of yellow apple, delicate herbs and spices, mineral Touch, hints of candied orange zest. Juicy, elegant, fine stone fruit, touch of finesse acidity, salty minerality in the finish, remains long, already well to drink.

Review:

"Scents of buddleia, gentian, thyme and lavender immediately hint at the site in which this grew, and there is corresponding inner-mouth perfume to delightfully complement luscious apple and white peach on the satiny, palpably extract-rich palate, as do also a glowing piquancy of pits and pips and Veltliner-like savor of blond tobacco. The buoyant and profoundly protracted finish here leaves behind a soothing and intriguing carpet of flavors while not forgetting its first duty to refresh. - David Schildknecht"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2015), 93 pts

 Vilerma Blanco Ribeiro is made from 80% Treixadura, 6% Torrontes, 4% Godello, 4% Albariño, 3% Loureira and 3% Lado

Ribeiro blanco is produced from estate-grown grapes using traditional winemaking.

Pale yellow color with green highlights.
Intense white fruit aromas when young, it develops complex nuances after a few years in the bottle.
In the mouth it is ample, full and pleasant with a long and fruity finish.

Fermentation in Stainless Steel tank at controlled temperature.

"Green-tinged gold. Mineral-accented melon, peach and pear scents are complicated by hints of ginger and chamomile. Supple, expansive and seamless in texture, offering juicy orchard and pit fruit flavors that are braced and lifted by a jolt of bitter lemon pith. Closes silky and long, with subtle, lingering floral and mineral notes. - Josh Raynolds"

- Vinous (January 2017), 90 pts

"The white 2015 Vilerma shows really well for the warm vintage. It's mainly Treixadura (67%) and the rest a myriad other varieties including Godello, Albariño, Lado, Loureira, Caíño and Torrontés. It ferments in stainless steel and is bottled unoaked and without malolactic fermentation. It's very classic with notes of flowers, herbs, white fruit and a fresh, soft palate, with less acidity that 2014. Nicely balanced, approachable and easy to drink. 45,775 bottles produced. I also tasted a 2012 that was to die for, with great complexity, nuance and depth. Bravo! - Luis Gutiérrez"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #232, August 2017), 91 pts