2016 Clos des Cazaux ‘Cuvée des Templiers’ Vacqueyras

WA92 Raspberries and lavender mark the nose of the 2016 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers, a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Medium to full-bodied, it’s very drinkable now, but it should live for a decade in a cool cellar. The tannins are plentiful and textured, not overly creamy or plush, giving it a rough, authentic feel on the long finish.
JD92 The medium ruby/purple-colored 2016 Vacqueyras Les Templiers checks in as an even split of Grenache and Syrah brought up all in tank. Terrific notes of cedary spice, pepper, sous bois, and assorted red and black fruits all give way to a medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant red that has fine tannin and good acidity. It’s downright classy and will flesh out with a year in bottle and keep for 7-8 years. 
Clos des Cazaux is a family-run wine domaine that has been growing vines and making wine for five generations, starting with our ancestor Gabriel ARCHIMBAUD at the turn of the twentieth century, the first man to sell Vacqueyras wine by the bottle, with the village and estate name on the label. The domaine is now run by Jean-Michel and Frédéric VACHE. The Archimbaud and Vache families are among the oldest ones in Vacqueyras. The oldest part of the property dates back to the 12th century and belonged to “Les Chevaliers de l’ordre des Templiers” (the Templar Knights). An ancient Moorish Tower sits on the property, the Tower of Sarrasine in ruins.