Clearly the most concentrated and deepest of these wines is the 2010 Vacqueyras 1717, a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah aged in truncated wood tanks and then the Syrah is moved to smaller barrels. Made from 100+ year old Grenache vines and 50 year old Syrah, this beauty boasts a dense purple color as well as abundant notes of garrigue, pepper, black raspberry and kirsch. A classic wine of Provence, it should drink well for 7-10 years, perhaps longer. (Not yet released) With over 100 acres in Vacqueyras, this is a large estate making at least seven separate Vacqueyras cuvees. They all reveal a family style, and are consistently well made efforts although not among the finest in the appellation. Prices are very reasonable across the board except for their top cuvee, the 1717, which costs three times more than its siblings. Importer: Grape Expectations, Raleigh, NC ; tel. (919) 781-1655