Prat Sura
La Cuvée Vacqueyras Grenache Syrah Blend
Vacqueyras, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
2nd cuvee from a venture born in 2011. It shows. Too much manipulation in the winery. Vacqueyras vinified too clean. Missing that rugged regional quality. Grainy, alchohol finish. 60/40 Grenache/Syrah
2nd cuvee from a venture born in 2011. It shows. Too much manipulation in the winery. Vacqueyras vinified too clean. Missing that rugged regional quality. Grainy, alchohol finish. 60/40 Grenache/Syrah
2 people found it helpfulNov 12th, 2014The 2012 Olivier Gras Prat Sura Vacqueyras La Cuvée is certainly more giving on the second day—this structured Vacqueyras wants to unfurl slowly, no surprise, because the vines are around 35 years old, and are grown in an arid climate, and in stony limestone-galet soil. Prat Sura is a single vineyard bottling, and a small one at that, at roughly 1,000 cases total. Tight on opening, but when revisited the second day, it reveals dense, bordering-on-brooding layers of blackberries steeped in fresh thyme, black raspberries and violets. Texturally, there's a lot going on, I feel that it will evolve with a bit of patience. Plum skins and fleshy black fruit at the core, trussed in firm tannins, accentuated by cinnamon bark, creosote and and the merest hint of juniper berries on the finish. Tuck this one into your cellar for five to ten years. 14.5% ABV | Sample
The 2012 Olivier Gras Prat Sura Vacqueyras La Cuvée is certainly more giving on the second day—this structured Vacqueyras wants to unfurl slowly, no surprise, because the vines are around 35 years old, and are grown in an arid climate, and in stony limestone-galet soil. Prat Sura is a single vineyard bottling, and a small one at that, at roughly 1,000 cases total. Tight on opening, but when revisited the second day, it reveals dense, bordering-on-brooding layers of blackberries steeped in fresh thyme, black raspberries and violets. Texturally, there's a lot going on, I feel that it will evolve with a bit of patience. Plum skins and fleshy black fruit at the core, trussed in firm tannins, accentuated by cinnamon bark, creosote and and the merest hint of juniper berries on the finish. Tuck this one into your cellar for five to ten years. 14.5% ABV | Sample
1 person found it helpfulJan 23rd, 2016
Big, grainy, simple. Needs minerality to truly sing. Still, better than almost everything from Napa at this price.
Big, grainy, simple. Needs minerality to truly sing. Still, better than almost everything from Napa at this price.
1 person found it helpfulApr 30th, 2015
Impressed with this wine - 'rustic' in a very appealing, well-made way. Great with steak.
Impressed with this wine - 'rustic' in a very appealing, well-made way. Great with steak.
1 person found it helpfulDec 12th, 2014
Joyful, pure & lively Syrah/Grenache blend. Young winemaker who convinced his father to lease him 1/2 ha. I hope he gets the rest of the family property one day!
Joyful, pure & lively Syrah/Grenache blend. Young winemaker who convinced his father to lease him 1/2 ha. I hope he gets the rest of the family property one day!
1 person found it helpfulDec 12th, 2014
Ripe juicy plums. Fresh thyme. Just sipping without food but would be awesome with a steak or chop.
Ripe juicy plums. Fresh thyme. Just sipping without food but would be awesome with a steak or chop.
Dec 13th, 2020
This had some nice flinty flavor and was smooth. We enjoyed it with grilled fish and vegetables.
This had some nice flinty flavor and was smooth. We enjoyed it with grilled fish and vegetables.
Aug 24th, 2018I seem to only get this wine at Jar, but I love it!
I seem to only get this wine at Jar, but I love it!
Jan 29th, 2018