2012 Domaine la Garrigue "La Cantarelle" Vacqueyras

The most impressive of the trio, the 2012 Vacqueyras La Cantarelle is an incredible blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that spent 24 months all in concrete tanks. It too is a custom cuvee between Eric Solomon, Philippe Cambie and the Bernard family. Named after a house that’s located in the vineyard, it comes from 100+-year-old vines and primarily limestone soils, and there’s a scant 600 cases to go around. Inky purple in color, it gives up meaty aromas and flavors of olive tapenade, cassis, melted licorice and earth to go with a very full-bodied, voluptuous and downright sexy profile on the palate. Layered, concentrated and with a great finish, it’s a knockout bottle of wine that will continue to impress through 2022. (JD)