Team C&J
His deeply colored wines, like this 2019 Domaine Le Sang Des Cailloux Cuvée Floureto, are a brooding, intense shade of red, but on the palate, they are fresh, full of life, and have a captivating salt-of-the-earth quality.
Serge began working the vineyards of Monsieur Ricard in 1979 after a brief stint at a winemaking school. With no children and no immediate heirs, Ricard needed all of the help he could get to manage the many facets of the winemaking process.
After just three years of working with Serge, Monsieur Ricard had an idea. With no heirs of his own to take over the vineyards and the winery, why not mentor and partner with Serge to keep his business alive long after he settled into retirement? When it was finally time for Ricard to retire in 1990, Serge had by then been a longtime employee. In an interesting coincidence, just as he was taking over from his mentor, the Vacqueyras region attained its long-awaited AOC status. A good omen for the quality wines that would soon come from his newly gifted winery.
With Ricad’s retirement, Serge, now the new proprietor, launched Sang Des Cailloux, his own brand, and interpretation of Vacqueyras’ terroir.
Today, Serge produces 5,000 cases a year from 17 hectares of vineyards that are farmed organically and biodynamically. One more fun fact about this domain, according to importer Kermit Lynch, “Each year, the Cuvée Traditionnelle of Le Sang des Cailloux is named for one of his daughters, Floureto, Doucinello, and Azalaïs.”
This a warm tribute from a winemaker that has dedicated a good chunk of his life to tending his land and his vines in Vacqueyras.
Serge’s wine brand has one of the wine industry’s most colorful, not-so-subtle names. When translated from French, Sang Des Cailloux means “blood of the stones.” The name is a play on “Valley of the Stones,” which is what the word ‘Vacqueyras’ translates to. Essentially, Serge sees his wine as part of the lifeblood of this stone-filled valley in Southern Rhone.
The Vacqueyras wine region is often referred to as Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s younger sibling. Located in Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras is bordered on the northeast by Gigondas and on the southwest by Chateauneuf-du-Pape, hence the sibling reference.
Vacqueyras received its own AOC designation in 1990. Prior to that, the region had Côtes du Rhône Villages status but was not recognized for its own unique microclimate and growing properties that would warrant a separate and distinct status.
The soil in places like the Plateau des Garrigues, where Sang Des Cailloux is located, is primarily red clay and limestone. The region is also incredibly arid and receives little rainfall, which can be a blessing to winemakers because the fruit that these lower-yielding vines are able to produce is highly concentrated and bold.
When it comes to laws around blends for the region, Vacqueyras wines must have a minimum of 50 percent Grenache, and Syrah and Mourvèdre must make up a minimum of 20 percent of the wine. The remaining blend can be composed of just about any Côtes du Rhône grape a winemaker thinks will benefit his or her wine, including Cinsault, Carignan, Counoise, Picpoul, on the red side, or Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Viognier, and Picpoul blanc on the white side.
While a small amount of white and rosé wines are produced in Vacqueyras, it’s the region’s red wine that dominates the winemaking scene here. An astounding 97% of the wine produced in Vacqueyras is red wine.
Serge Férigoule’s 2019 Domaine Le Sang Des Cailloux Cuvée Floureto is a GSM blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre & Cinsault sourced from 17 hectares of vines. The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with bright, clear clarity.
The nose is enticing. Dark and red pitted fruit mix with elements of earth and spice for a profile that is both elegant and rustic. Ripe plum, earthy mushrooms, black currant and cherry, spiced cedar, and rough, worn leather abound. Similar notes burst from the palate. Dark pitted fruit dominates, with black cherry and plum. A second wave of leather and spice (cedar and cinnamon), follow the abundant fruit flavors.
Big tannins provide structure to this full-bodied Southern Rhone wine, and medium acidity offers balance. The longer this wine opens up, the more intense the flavors become. At a moderate 14% alcohol, this is an honest wine that delivers a big “sense of place.” Highly recommended
France
Vacqueyras
Red Blend
14
Serge Férigoule
62–68°F / 16–20°C
Burgundy
1 Hour
Now to 2030
Domaine Le Sang Des Cailloux
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