By Crous St Martin
Vacqueyras 'Les Volutes'

Vineyard Notes
Sourced mostly from vines growing on the plains of Vacqueyras, which sit on sand, clay, gravel, and stones. This gives the typicity of the wine; structure, power depth. The remainder of vines used, less typical, but bringing an extra dimension to the wine, are the vineyards growing on the slopes of the Dentelles de Montmrail, bringing finesse on the nose and mid-palate.

Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Cinsault
Elaboration: Hand-harvested grapes. 30-day steel-vat vinification at up to 28 degrees C, cap punching, a little pumping over, mostly aged in stainless, with a small portion in used 228-litre oak casks raised 15 months. Unfined, unfiltered.

Tasting Notes
Silky ruby color. Floral nose, which develops towards aromas of blackberries and baking spices. Refined freshness. Long.

Producer Notes
An overnight blockbuster for us immediately upon arrival two vintages back, Crous St. Martin is a collaboration between Rhone expert Harry Bosmans and Eric Bonnet of Domaine Bastide Saint Dominique. Harry is a household name amongst quality growers in the Rhone Valley and an invaluable resource thanks to his skill on both the production side and on the sales side. Eric's family has been growing grapes in the north-east corner of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation for three generations now, with 120 acres of vines in their name. Eric's father began to make wines at Bastide Saint Dominique in 1980, quickly establishing the property as an elite player in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Eric, now 39 years old, spent his early winemaking years up North in Burgundy, and that influence still shows in the delicate balance he is able to achieve between power and detail.
[Information provided by Grape Expectations]
[Information is not vintage specific]

2016 Crous St Martin Vacqueyras Les Volutes
Rating: 90
Producer: Crous St Martin
Location: France, Rhone, Southern Rhone, Vacqueyras
Color: Red
Tasting Date: 9/26/2018
Maturity: After 2018
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Source: LE MILLESIME... The 2016s from the Southern Rhone (Part 2)
The 2016 Vacqueyras Les Volutes is 70% Grenache and the rest equal parts Cinsault and Syrah. It offers a delicious, fruit-forward style as well as loads of raspberry, spice, and dried earth and garrigue aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, supple, and polished, with more minerality with time in the glass, it's another terrific wine from this estate.