-Vacqueyras Mazane 2017-$27.99
-Domaine du Clos de Sixte Lirac 2020-$29.99
No discussion of French wines would be complete without an exploration of the wines of Alain Jaume, one of France’s premiere wine producers.
Historically known for its superb white wines, Alain Jaume has turned its attention to the production of award-winning red wines since 1995.
Founded by Mathieu Jaume in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape in 1826, the winery is now run by members of the 5th and 6th generations of the family: Alain Jaume and his adult children Christophe, Sebastien, and Helene.
The Jaume family produces wines over a wide range of French AOC’s, including the Rasteau, Gigondas and Ventoux, among others, but it is in the Chateauneuf-du Pape that it has realized its most enduring fame.
More recently, Alain Jaume wines of the Cotes-du-Rhone, Lirac and Vacqueyras, have taken the wine world by storm.
Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Mazane 2017 ($27.99) consists of a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre from 50-year-old Organic vines. This single vineyard wine originates on a ‘Garrigues’ scrubland that stretches over a plateau that is ideally located between the Ouveze tributary of the Rhone River along terraces that flow into the Dentelles de Montmirail. This confluence of ideal climate, soil type and quality grapes producea a wine of incomparable richness and harmony.
Simple but elegant, the wine bursts with flavors and aromas of spring flowers, ripe plums, and blueberries with hints of black pepper and baking spices. Beautifully textured, it finishes with appealing notes of licorice that linger on the palate.
Duck, either roasted grilled, along with a side of grilled vegetables, especially eggplant and zucchini, create the elements for a perfect summertime meal.
The wine is consistently rated 92 points. It could easily age for 5 to 7 years in the cellar, but why wait; it’s perfectly enjoyable now and at well under $30, an affordable luxury. Visit vignobles-alain-jaume.com for more. Always drink responsibly.