2006 Domaine le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Cuvee Azalais

Domaine le Sang des Cailloux is a 40-acre estate in the Vacqueyras, in the Southern Rhone Valley of France. The estate was founded in 1975 when two brothers divided their property and one of them started the estate. In 1979 a young, university-trained winemaker named Serge Ferigoule was hired on and he later became co-owner of the estate. In 1990 Ferigoule became full owner and he began major improvements, including a new cellar. The domaine owns 40 acres of vineyards planted to 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. About 7,000 cases of Vacqueyras are produced annually. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called the estate “a superstar of the Vacqueyras.” The wines are named after Ferigoule’s daughters.

Vacqueyras AOC is in the Southern Rhone Valley and runs along the banks of the Ouvèze River. It received its appellation status 1990, having been part of the AOC Côtes du Rhone appellation since 1937. Some 97 percent of the wine made in Vacqueyras is red, and like its neighbor to the north, Gigondas, Vacqueyras is known for its powerful wines. There are 3,200 vineyard acres planted to Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Counoise, Clairette and Bourbolenc. Vacqueyras reds are dark, spicy, tannic and considered good for aging.