Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux VACQUEYRAS Cuvee Floureto Biodynamic 2022 750ml

Expert Review – Vintage 2022

Vinous Media 90-92 Points | Vibrant and sexy, the 2022 Vacqueyras Cuve Floureto dazzles with bright violet, black cherry, black plum, garrigue and white pepper aromas. It is crafted from early harvested Grenache and Syrah with tiny jolts of Mourvdre and Cinsaut, all aged for ten months in old oak foudres. Ever-so-smooth tannins frame this medium-bodied 2022 and have that characteristic nervy tension that winemaker Frdri Frigoule brings. It finishes on a refreshing note and contains 13.9% alcohol.

Decanter 91 Points | Appealing plum and damson aromatics unfold onto a fresh palate with juicy acidity, making it highly drinkable. Plenty of crisp black cherry too. A big burst of fruit, no great length but a real thirst quencher. Black cherry stones on the finish, and ripe tannin. Now includes an extra half a hectare of Counoise.

Producer Notes

Vacqueyras, the village whose apt name translates as Valley of the Stones from the local dialect, celebrated its thirtieth anniversary as an official cru of the Rhne in 2020. Coincidentally, at Sang des Cailloux, Serge Frigoule also celebrated his thirtieth anniversary of taking over the estate, where he was an employee for many years, before his boss called it quits and handed him the keys. Pioneers in the methods of organics, soon followed by biodynamics, the Frigoules have honed a unique style of Vacqueyras that mixes deep, dark color with a lightness of touch, rusticity with warmth, and minerality with delicious fresh fruit. In every new vintage, Serge renames the cuve for one of his three daughters, who all have typical Basque names.