This is probably one of the greatest successes of the vintage in the southern rhône. These very old vines held the trump card. The wine and its terroir dominate, upstaging the vintage character… an expression of old vine fruit in all its glory.
The vintage

A Vintage saved by the months of September and October, which were exceptional.
A summer-like spring and a spring-like summer and an optimal autumn… This, more or less, summarises the Vintage.
The weather conditions in spring, reminiscent of summer, suggested that it would be a relatively early harvest. But a summer, which more resembled spring in character, slowed down the maturity, above all that of Grenache. Autumn, however, enhanced eve-rything, and, ultimately, provided fantastic condi-tions for the harvest.
The conditions during the growing cycle really fa-voured Syrah and Mourvèdre. Grenache has suffered somewhat from a chilly and rainy July. Yields were also high, which tended to impede maturation and was a potential risk to the overall health of the grapes.
As is so often the case in these conditions, Old Vines in Great Terroirs come into their own. Wines made from such vines and those which follow are, in my opinion, really exceptional. They are however an exception, representing a tiny proportion of the overall production.Buyers, beware, and be careful, therefore, when choosing your Wines!

Terroir

Les Grès, Les Pendants, La Lonche, la Ponche.

Ageing

Tronçais and Allier new oak.

Alcohol content

14,5%

Bottling

Without fining and filtration.

Cépages

Grenache : 75 %
Syrah : 25 %

Deep ruby. Ripe raspberry and lavender aromas are deepened by a hint of candied licorice. Shows a darker fruit profile on the palate, offering weighty black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a bracing jolt of juicy acidity. Dusty tannins give shape to the clinging, lucid, fruit-driven finish.

Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar , 91/100 , 2014-02-01

The crushed raspberry and blackberry fruit aromas and flavors are meshed with charcoal and singed mesquite notes. The fleshy finish lets a pastis accent linger.

James Molesworth
Wine Spectator , 91/100 , 2013-11-01

The 2011 Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes is very good, but not as impressive as many of the wines from this appellation can be. It exhibits a dark ruby color along with notes of garrigue, kirsch and lavender in a medium-bodied, front end-loaded style.

Robert Parker
Wine Advocate , 86-88/100 , 2012-10-01

75% 60-year-old Grenache. Pale rim on purplish crimson. Big, bold and bloody on the nose. Quite refined for a wine of this strength with a dry finish and some kick of really appetising stoniness on the finish. Remarkably appetising.

Jancis Robinson , 17/20