The 2011 Vacqueyras Jean-Marie Arnoux (a foudre-aged blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 5% other varieties) gives up a traditional seeming array of underbrush, spring flowers, saddle leather and sweet berry fruit to go with a soft, supple profile on the palate. It won’t make old bones, but is a delicious effort to drink over the coming 4-5 years.
This large estate produces a bevy of rich, fruit-forward efforts that remain more than reasonably priced. Looking at the 2011s, this is a solid vintage here and the wines make the most of the vintage, with upfront fruit and texture.
Importer: Grape Expectations, Raleigh, NC; tel. (919) 781-1655