Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2010 (Rhône) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a mature Vacqueyras that I purchased over a dozen years ago when it arrived on shelves across Ontario in the December 8, 2012 LCBO VINTAGES Release. While this vintage is long sold out, this wine does come through LCBO VINTAGES every fall, with a small amount of the latest vintage (2021) currently available at the LCBO.

This Southern Rhône red wine is produced by the renowned Famille Perrin winemaking family. It is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah that was grown in the Southern Rhone Valley Cru of Vacqueyras. The grapes were hand-harvested and placed in 25 kg boxes. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were crushed and underwent a month-long fermentation, with half going into 50 hectolitre tanks, while the other half was fermented Foudres. The wines underwent malolactic fermentation, and was then blended and aged for one year in a combination of Foudres and barrels.

The growing conditions in the Southern Rhone Valley in 2010 produced an exceptional vintage. There was heavy rainfall during spring, followed by a very hot summer. September featured an Indian summer, which allowed for long hang-time and great harvest conditions. Yield reduction during the initial phase of the growing season greatly benefited the grapes that remained on the vine, which resulted in a legendary vintage that produced very balanced wines with intense fruit notes and great finesse. I imagine that I've held on to this a bit too long, but let's see how this 2010 Vacqueyras is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FAMILLE PERRIN LES CHRISTINS VACQUEYRAS 2010 - AC, Rhône, France (#973453) (XD) - $23.95
Pours a deep garnet colour. This blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah has an open, medium-high intensity nose that offers mature, stewed dark berry aromas alongside sweet baking spices, leather, dried purple flowers, and savoury wet earth, plus some dried dark berry tones. On the dry, tangy, and medium-full bodied palate, the fruit is shifting into the mature, dried spectrum, and is joined by savoury wet earth, leather, and dried spice flavours, It has tangy, lemony acidity, while the grippy textured and astringent tannins overwhelm the palate. Savoury earth, spice, floral, plus smoky mineral notes linger on the finish, with a touch of heat at the tail end. Enjoyable, but certainly past its drinking window. Drink now if you have a bottle. Score: 89 pts