Montirius Vacqueyras Garrigues Red Wine 2019 – Rhone Valley Vintage

Producer: Montirius
Region: Vacqueyras AOP (Southern Rhône Valley)
Varietal Blend: 70% Grenache Noir + 30% Syrah
Vintage: 2019

Harvested from 60-year-old vines rooted in Vacqueyras’ chalky-clay soils, this Grenache-Syrah marriage achieves perfect tension between fruit intensity and structural backbone—key differentiators from mass-produced New World blends. Concrete fermentation tanks impart saline minerality while preserving vibrant acidity; no oak contact ensures pure expression of terroir-driven flavors like wild thyme and sun-ripened raspberries.

Palate Architecture:
Explosive mid-palate displays concentrated blackberry liqueur intertwined with smoky Syrah spice threads at 12% ABV sweetness-free balance. Silken tannins caress gums before a 30-second finish lingers with crushed gravel nuances—a testament to concrete tank aging’s ability to amplify textural complexity without masking fruit purity.

Culinary Synergy:
Outperforms typical Côtes du Rhône blends when paired with herb-crusted rack of lamb or braised short ribs due to its elevated fruit concentration (14% natural sugars) balanced by grippy tannins that cling to fatty proteins without bitterness—common pitfalls in cheaper alternatives aged in stainless steel instead of concrete’s micro-oxygenation benefits.

Award-winning validation (92/100 Vinous) positions this as one of Southern Rhône’s most approachable yet age-worthy values under $35—a rare find given most under-$40 French reds lack this level of concentration and terroir authenticity from certified AOP producers using traditional methods like carbonic maceration on young Grenache clusters during fermentation.

Actual pricing may vary; inquire locally for current stock levels.