Guillaume Gonnet Vacqueyras Le Sauvage 21

AWM customers know that when the label reads Guillaume Gonnet and has a bird on it, the wine in the bottle will be delicious! Their Le Sauvage Vacqueyras is another prime example of Guillaume's winemaking prowess!

Guillaume and Kelly Gonnet are long-time friends of the AWM, and their Bird wines have been a staple at the shop for the last ten-plus years. They have an incredible passion for Rhône varietals, and I'm beyond delighted that we can share their passion in Western North Carolina.

Guillaume comes from a long line of celebrated winemakers and viticulturists and has been deeply influenced by his family's lengthy history in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Kelly delivers a unique and imaginative perspective shaped by her Australian background in the New World. They collaborated to create the Bird Wines, combining Old and New World inspirations while balancing classic Rhône tradition with innovation.

Vacqueyras is a village that punches well above its weight regarding wines from the Rhône Valley; however, the good news is that it remains more attractively priced compared to neighboring villages of Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The area's distinctive blend of soils, ranging from limestone and clay to the famed galets roulés --large, rounded stones,-- contributes to the gorgeous intensity of fruit and minerality in the wines produced here. This geological diversity, along with the region's warm climate, allows for the cultivation of grapes that yield wines of exceptional flavor and depth, qualities that the Gonnet Le Sauvage Vacqueyras embodies fully.

In your glass, Gonnet Le Sauvage Vacqueyras Rouge presents a rich tapestry of dark fruit aromas layered with hints of baking spice and lavender. On the palate, you're greeted with Guillaume's signature balance of power and elegance, with deep flavors of black cherry, plum, and blackberry dancing with nuances of black pepper and red licorice. A subtle beam of garrigue whispers the terroir of Vacqueyras throughout the lengthy finish.

Gonnet Le Sauvage Vacqueyras Rouge pairs splendidly with hearty soups and stews and will shine with slow-cooked lamb shanks, grilled red meats, and game. As with all of Guillaume's reds, this wine's ample lift and freshness make for a successful pairing with lighter plates, and for a vegetarian option, try it with mushroom risotto or eggplant parmesan.