Straight from the Cellar: 2015 Vacqueyras
It isn’t often that we get the chance to offer a fully mature Southern Rhône red straight from the domaine, especially one from a benchmark Vacqueyras producer like Domaine le Sang des Cailloux. Even rarer still is finding such a wine from the exceptional 2015 vintage, one of the truly great harvests of the past two decades. This is a bottle that shows exactly why patience—and provenance—matter.
Vacqueyras has long been a source of remarkable value when compared to its famous neighbor, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. And yet in the hands of Serge Férigoule at Sang des Cailloux, the wines reach a level that rivals many Châteauneufs in both depth and personality. The estate has always been known for its powerful, mineral-driven style—wines etched with the stony character of the galets roulés (“cailloux”) that define its vineyards.
The 2015 “Cuvée Azalaïs” is a blend dominated by Grenache, with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault adding layers of spice and structure. At nearly a decade in bottle, it has moved gracefully into its prime drinking window. The fruit, once bold and primary, has softened into a complex tapestry of dark cherry, garrigue, dried herbs, and earth, framed by supple tannins and a long, savory finish. This is where the value of an older release truly shines—you’re not buying potential, you’re buying a wine at its peak, ready to deliver everything it promised at harvest.
The 2015 vintage was hailed throughout the Rhône for its balance of richness and freshness, and Sang des Cailloux captured it perfectly. This is the kind of wine that reminds you why Vacqueyras has been earning its place among the Southern Rhône’s great appellations. And with age already built in, it represents extraordinary value for a wine of this pedigree.
If you’ve ever wanted to explore the depth and beauty of mature Rhône reds without waiting a decade yourself, the 2015 Cuvée Azalaïs is your opportunity. This is Sang des Cailloux at its most expressive—a perfect meeting of producer, place, and vintage.
