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Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers
Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux
France - Rhone Valley - Vacqueyras AOC

The Syrah vines are situated on the sandy, grey clay slopes of Vacqueyras near the estate. They are facing east west, so the sun warms the grapes early in the morning allowing a considerable synthesis of sugars. The sandy soil is poor giving a reduced yield. The resulting wine is very fruity with strong persistent aromas of red fruits, spices and violets brought by the Syrah. Intense black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and cherry flavors. Explosive fruit tannins give the sweet, creamy flavors structure and focus, bright and uplifting on the finish.

Specifications
Appellation
Vacqueyras AOC
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre,
Age of vines
30-50 years minimum.
Agricultural Practices
Sustainable
Soil type
Slopes of sandy soil or grey limestone
Vinification
Hand picked harvest; 100% destemmed but not crushed. About 20 days fermentation according to the vintage. Nine months in stainless-steel tanks and 12 months in concrete tank. No fining and only a light filtration for natural deposit.
Pairings

Enjoy this wine when young with grilled beef and bearnaise sauce, lamb and thyme. After 7-10 years excellent with game meats.

Reviews and News

2021 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - DECANTER

2021 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - DECANTER

decanter logo 250"Very dark in the glass. A spicy nose full of cardamom and cumin. Full-bodied but not overly. Feels rounded and powerful, but has seen no oak. Quite extracted, this certainly needs time but promises some future complexity. - Matt WALLS"
- Decanter (October 1st 2022), 91 pts

 

2019 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - JD

2019 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"I’ve drunk my fair share of this cuvée, and it always offers pleasure. The 2019 Vacqueyras Les Templiers is no exception, offering lots of juicy strawberry and darker berry fruits as well as classic Southern Rhône peppery herbs and leather nuances. A blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah, it’s nicely balanced, has plenty of character, and is ideal for enjoying over the coming 5-7 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (January 2022), 91 pts

 

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - JD

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"Deeply colored, the 2017 Vacqueyras Cuvée Des Templiers (50/50 Grenache and Syrah) is a full-bodied, powerful 2017 that has lots of Syrah character in its ripe dark fruits, olive tapenade, game, and peppery aromas and flavors. With a big, mouthfilling style, it’s going to evolve nicely for upwards of a decade."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2019, Southern Rhône Part 2: 2017 & 2018 from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, and Rasteau), 91 pts

 

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90-93 PTS - JD

2017 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90-93 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"A wine that should come close to matching its 2016 counterpart, the 2017 Vacqueyras Les Templiers (50/50 Grenache and Syrah aged in stainless steel and concrete tanks) offers a classic style in its peppery garrigue, underbrush, damp earth, and gamey, meaty aromas and flavors. With lots of dark fruit, good density, and integrated acidity, it’s a winner."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 26th 2018), 90-93 pts

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2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 92 PTS - WA

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 92 PTS - WA

wa92"Raspberries and lavender mark the nose of the 2016 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers, a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Medium to full-bodied, it's very drinkable now, but it should live for a decade in a cool cellar. The tannins are plentiful and textured, not overly creamy or plush, giving it a rough, authentic feel on the long finish. - Joe Czerwinski"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #238, August 31st 2018), 92 pts

Go To Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers

 

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 92 PTS - JD

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 92 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"The medium ruby/purple-colored 2016 Vacqueyras Les Templiers checks in as an even split of Grenache and Syrah brought up all in tank. Terrific notes of cedary spice, pepper, sous bois, and assorted red and black fruits all give way to a medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant red that has fine tannin and good acidity. It's downright classy and will flesh out with a year in bottle and keep for 7-8 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2018), 92 pts

Go To Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers

 

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90 PTS - WE

2016 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 90 pts"On first whiff of this wine, aromas of smoke, char and earth abound but time and aeration coax prettier notes of black cherry and berry. Ripe black fruits are crisply concentrated on the palate, accented by a touch of sweet spice. It's a straightforward yet stately wine to drink now through 2023. - Anna Lee C. IIJIMA"

- Wine Enthusiast (July 2019), 90 pts

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2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - JD

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"Lastly, the 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers is made from an even split of Grenache and Syrah that was raised in concrete and stainless-steel tanks. Its ruby/plum color is followed by a medium to full-bodied, ripe, rounded effort that gives up outstanding notes of blackcurrants, thyme, leafy herbs and hints of pepper. This beauty is just more evidence for how good 2015 was for Vacqueyras."

- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2017), 91 pts

Go To Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers

 

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90 PTS - WE

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 90 pts"Plush, juicy Grenache is balanced by sharper, savory tones of Syrah and Mourvèdre in this ripe, silk-textured red. It's briskly concentrated but nuanced by hints of toast, wet earth and cocoa powder. Full bodied, plush and silky, it's a satisfyingly rich but structured wine to enjoy now–2023. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"

- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (September 2018), 90 pts

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2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90 PTS - WA

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90 PTS - WA

wa90"A bit of tar and green onion are apparent on the nose of the 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers, a 50-50 blend of Syrah and Grenache. Those elements should prove less bothersome with decanting or additional bottle age, as the underlying medium-bodied wine is sound, offering cola, black olives and dark berries/plums. Firm tannins on the finish would work well with rare grilled meats or roasts. - Joe Czerwinski"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #233, October 2017), 90 pts

Go To Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers

 

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 89-92 PTS - WA

2015 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 89-92 PTS - WA

wa"Also more than noteworthy, the 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers sports an inky color as well as abundant notes of plums and raspberry fruits, ground herbs and pepper. Made from an even split of Grenache and Syrah, it’s a soft, forward, consumer-friendly 2015 that will drink well for 4-6 years."

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #228, December 2019), 89-92 pts

Go To Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers

 

2013 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 88-90 PTS - VINOUS

2013 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 88-90 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo 250"Bright purple. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas are enlivened by smoky mineral and peppery spice accents. Quite primary right now, with sappy blackberry and mulberry flavors tightening up on the back half. Gripping tannins firm the finish, which leaves notes of bitter cherry and berry skin behind. - Josh Raynolds"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (May 2015), 88-90 pts

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2012 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - VINOUS

2012 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 91 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo 250"Opaque ruby. Ripe black and blue fruits, licorice and candied violet on the perfumed nose. The Syrah is front and center right now. Stains the palate with sweet boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that are sharpened and lifted by a jolt of peppery spices and smoky minerals. Supple tannins build slowly on the finish, which leaves lively blue fruit and spice notes behind. - Josh Raynolds"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (May 2015), 91 pts

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2011 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90 PTS - WA

2011 Le Clos des Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers - 90 PTS - WA

Wine Advocate 90 Pts"The only 2011 Vacqueyras I was able to taste, and a tank-aged blend of equal parts Syrah and Grenache, the 2011 Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers is a classic Vacqueyras with is upfront, beautifully fruited profile. Offering up loads of bright berry fruit, loamy earth, flowers and hints of old leather, it has a voluptuous, soft and easygoing feel that will make it ideal for drinking over the coming 3-5 years. - JD"

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #210, December 2013), 90 pts

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Producer Information: Domaine Le Clos des Cazaux

Founded in 1905 by Gabriel Archimbaud, Domaine Clos de Cazaux is now run by his grandsons Jean-Michel and Frédéric Vache.
The Vache and Archimbaud families are amongst the oldest ...
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