The 2007 Vacqueyras Les Aubes is a much deeper beefier, richer wine with notes of red and black fruits, herbs, meat juices, and cassis. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years. Yves Gras is one of the great personalities of the southern Rhone, and I always enjoy my visits with him. Aside from his passion and singular personality is his exceptional talent for winemaking and vineyard management. First, as I have indicated in the past, he has a small negociant operation. There are very few efforts in 2008 under the “Santa Duc Selection” moniker because of the challenging vintage; he did show me three wines. The estate wines in 2008 include only one cuvee of Gigondas, as there will be no Les Hautes Garrigues produced, or his new baby, the Grand Grenache 66. The three cuvees of 2007 are certainly the finest wines I have tasted from Yves Gras since I started visiting him in the mid-1980s. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

The 2007 Vacqueyras Les Aubes is a much deeper beefier, richer wine with notes of red and black fruits, herbs, meat juices, and cassis. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years. Yves Gras is one of the great personalities of the southern Rhone, and I always enjoy my visits with him. Aside from his passion and singular personality is his exceptional talent for winemaking and vineyard management. First, as I have indicated in the past, he has a small negociant operation. There are very few efforts in 2008 under the “Santa Duc Selection” moniker because of the challenging vintage; he did show me three wines. The estate wines in 2008 include only one cuvee of Gigondas, as there will be no Les Hautes Garrigues produced, or his new baby, the Grand Grenache 66. The three cuvees of 2007 are certainly the finest wines I have tasted from Yves Gras since I started visiting him in the mid-1980s.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

Shows the ripe, heady style of the vintage, with lush, rounded layers of plum and boysenberry compote, hoisin sauce and melted licorice. A tarry hint frames the rich finish. There's more weight than definition, but this has enough range to be outstanding. Drink now through 2013. 150 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Vacqueyras Select to Add