2012 Domaine le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Cuvée Lopy

Community Tasting Notes (4) Avg Score: 89.8 points

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  5/31/2021 - AAF2012 Likes this wine:

  Last bottle from case bought in 2015 from winemaker on site. Drank 11/12 bottles between 2015 and 2018; saved one for later to see if it could age, which I just popped. Glad I only saved one. Respectfully disagree with the tasters who recommended to hold it - grenache (75%) is now too obvious, lost its integration with the syrah and it tastes more new world at this stage. Has gotten a bit cloying and overly sweet, showing the hot summer and not in that refreshing southern Rhone way that it hit me with in 2015-2017. Lost those rustic hints and you're just left with stewed fruits that feel a bit out of balance and heavy, without the freshness and structure. It's still a perfectly good wine, and they are a great producer. It's just not as good as it was 5 years ago and the reason is age. This is not one for ageing. Case kept in perfect condition; also had a 2012 magnum to boot a few years ago which I bought from a retailer (was delicious).
  
  Excellent winemaker and I don't think fair to give rating here given I kinda knew I needed to drink it earlier anyway. If I was rating during a tasting in 2016-2017 I'd give it low to mid 90s. Really well-made wine just not for ageing! (And frankly, exactly as the winemaker told us! I can't forget who it was precisely, but I believe it was one of the family members. She was introduced by Chapoutier. And explicitly told us to drink up in the next few years and don't hold it too long...back in 2015. So really can't be faulted for that.)

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  5/23/2021 - herka wrote: 88 Points

  Light foxy smell

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  5/24/2016 - Roughl Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Mr. Moustache is apparently (officially) retiring. Such a good winemaker, I hope the quality will stay up there. This was quite impressive with good balance and tons of fruit and structure. Think this will shine in 5 years. The best wine tasted in Vacqueyras (there's a local store where you can taste practically all Vacqueyras out there and selling at prix domaine). Bought a magnum and this format will do the wine justice.

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  3/9/2016 - thehaughleydrinker Likes this wine: 86 Points

  Purple red in the glass, very fresh looking. Nose is restrained at this point. Strong tannins, and acidic fruit so i think this will last a good while longer. Will try the other bottle in 2-3 years.

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