Domaine Saint Damien Saint-Damien Vacqueyras 2022 750ml

Produced from purchased grapes grown by Romain Saurel’s uncle, the 2022 Vacqueyras Selection is a 70-30 blend of Grenache and Syrah. It boasts nicely concentrated fruit notes of blueberries and cherries tinged with licorice. It’s full-bodied, supple and ripe, maybe a touch tannic to drink on its own but just right to pair with red meat off the grill. (Joe Czerwinski)

The first Vacqueyras I’ve tasted from this brilliant Gigondas estate, the 2022 Vacqueyras has pure red and black fruits as well as textbook spicy herbs, pepper, and savory flower aromas and flavors. It’s concentrated, medium to full-bodied, has plenty of mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. I’d happily be a buyer.