Composed of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, the 2009 Vacqueyras reveals plenty of blackberry and black cherry fruit intertwined with licorice, camphor, roasted herbs and a touch of smoke. Deep, fleshy and succulent, it should drink nicely for 5-7 years. My visit to the impressive, modern facilities at Vidal-Fleury in the Cote Blonde sector of Cote Rotie went well as I believe this is an up-and-coming producer. Owners Marcel and Philippe Guigal and the estate’s director, Guy Sarton de Jonchay, are instituting an earlier bottling, resulting in more freshness and lively fruit in the wines.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE