Le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Cuvée Doucinello AOC 2023, Rhône, Organic

Le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Cuvée Doucinello is the domaine’s flagship red, named, in rotation with Floureto and Azalaïs, after one of Serge Férigoule’s daughters. It comes from organically and biodynamically farmed vines of 35–40 years on the stony Plateau des Garrigues, where red clay and limestone are covered in rounded galets. The blend is led by Grenache, typically around 70%, with Syrah and a little Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed, ferment naturally in concrete vats and age in large oak foudres, and the wine is bottled without fining or filtration.

This is a deep, characterful southern Rhône red. Dark bramble fruit, blackberry and black cherry mingle with leather, black pepper, garrigue herbs and a stony edge on the nose. The palate is muscular yet velvety, with ripe, dense fruit, firm but polished tannins and a long, spicy finish.

Serve at 16–18°C, ideally decanted an hour ahead, with slow-cooked lamb shoulder, beef daube, venison, wild boar or a hearty cassoulet. Le Sang des Cailloux Doucinello is delicious now and will develop beautifully for 8–10 years or more.

Le Sang des Cailloux, ‘the blood of the stones’, is one of Vacqueyras’ most admired domaines. Serge Férigoule, a native of the village, has worked these vines since 1982 and launched the Sang des Cailloux label in 1990. The domaine farms around 17 hectares on the Plateau des Garrigues, where red clay and limestone are strewn with the large rounded stones, or galets, that give the estate its name. The vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic. In the cellar, grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed, ferment naturally in concrete and age in large old foudres, and the wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered. Charmingly, the main Vacqueyras cuvée is named in rotation after Serge’s three daughters: Floureto, Doucinello and Azalaïs.