Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise 2021: report and top-scoring wines

Vacqueyras

Vacqueyras is low-lying and mostly flat, and it was hit hard by the frost in 2021. Yields were down around 25%.

Vineyards on slopes and near woodland were more likely to be spared, and those that were lucky went on to make precise, fresh, well-balanced reds. Most, however, are light and drinkable, destined to be drunk young.

White varieties largely avoided the frost, and the quality is excellent – concentrated wines with impact, acidity and great balance.

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Gigondas

There was relatively little frost damage in Gigondas, and while the wines are usually brighter and juicier than those from Vacqueyras, they are still inconsistent.

Louis Barruol said ‘it’s a vintage in which your choices make a big impact on the final wine,’ and this was evidenced in the wines tasted. Many picked too soon, leading to fibrous, dry tannins. Some overextracted, others overoaked. Those who played the vintage well produced fresh, medium-bodied wines.

See also – individual appellation analysis on:

Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Rasteau, Cairanne and Vinsobres | Lirac and Tavel

Beaumes de Venise

If you’re unfamiliar with the dry red wines of Beaumes de Venise, then this is the year to explore them – the quality was relatively impressive. Many of the vineyards are at altitude and interspersed with woods which helped ward off the frost.

Succulent tannins, freshness and purity are more common here – not to mention good value. Its sweet Muscats however were less exciting.

Rhône 2021 score tables:

All top Rhône 2021 score table

Top-scoring southern Rhône 2021 score table

Top-scoring northern Rhône 2021 score table

Top-scoring 2021 red wines

Top-scoring 2021 white wines

Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise 2021 key producers

Clos de Caveau – Vacqueyras

Domaine des Bernardins – Beaumes de Venise

Domaine du Clos des Tourelles – Gigondas

Domaine des Bosquets – Gigondas

Domaine la Ligière – Gigondas

Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux – Vacqueyras

Famille Perrin – Gigondas

Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise 2021 top value wines

Château Redortier, Rouge, Beaumes de Venise

Clos de Caveau, Fruit Sauvage Rouge, Vacqueyras,

Domaine des Bernardins, Rouge, Beaumes de Venise

Domaine du Cayron, Gigondas

Domaine la Ligière, Chemin Blanc, Vacqueyras

Domaine Raspail-Ay, Gigondas

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Matt Walls’ top-scoring Gigondas, Vacqueyras & Beaumes de Venise 2021 wines:

The wines below all scored 93 points or above, and are listed in order of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise, white then red in score order.

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