The 2012 Vacqueyras The Vac should be a smoking value. Made from 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, it gives up plenty of raspberry, spice, licorice and hints of cedar to go with a medium to full-bodied, supple and beautifully fruited palate. Solid all around, it should drink nicely for 7-8 years. This large estate produces a bevy of rich, fruit-forward efforts that remain more than reasonably priced. Looking at the 2011s, this is a solid vintage here and the wines make the most of the vintage, with upfront fruit and texture. Importer: Grape Expectations, Raleigh, NC; tel. (919) 781-1655

For starters, the 2010 Vacqueyras Vac, a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, offers lots of exuberant black cherry fruit intermixed with notions of garrigue, pepper and spice box. Medium to full-bodied with good acidity and sweet tannin, it should drink nicely for 5-6 years. (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

The 2009 Vacqueyras Vac is a tank-aged blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The most commercially-styled offering, it is an elegant, mid-weight, fruit-forward wine with soft, silky, unobtrusive tannins. It will offer delicious drinking over the next 3-4 years. (Not yet released) With approximately 100 acres of vines in Vacqueyras, Arnoux et Fils is one of the largest of the family-owned, estate-bottled producers. Importer: Grape Expectations, Raleigh, NC ; tel. (919) 781-1655