“Vieilles Vignes” is the flagship red of Domaine Grand Veneur, drawn from very old parcels rooted in classic Châteauneuf terroirs of galets roulés, sand and limestone. Grenache leads, supported by Mourvèdre and Syrah (proportions flex with the season), giving a wine that marries depth and warmth to clarity and line. Expect dark cherry, blackberry and kirsch layered with rosemary, thyme and bay, liquorice and pepper, and a cool, stony thread that keeps the finish dry and poised.
Viticulture is low-yield and parcel-specific: meticulous canopy work, selective picking by block, and fruit sorted for perfect ripeness. Fermentations are temperature-controlled with gentle extraction to favour long-grained tannins over brute force. Élevage combines concrete and large foudres for shape with a measured seasoning of barrels and demi-muids to polish texture—oak reading as cadence and length rather than overt flavour. The result is a cuvée that feels both powerful and refined, true to place and tuned for balance.
On the palate, Vieilles Vignes is full-bodied yet composed: a plush, velvety mid-palate framed by fine tannins and vibrant acidity, finishing long with hints of cocoa nib, dried orange peel and savoury herb. With air, notes of dried flowers, cured spice and warm stones emerge, adding nuance without heaviness. It’s a wine that can headline a table but remains gastronomic rather than sweet or overdone.
Serve at 16–18 °C in large Burgundy stems; young bottles benefit from a 60–90 minute decant to unfurl the mid-palate and lift perfume. Pair with roast lamb and garlic, beef rib with pepper and thyme, daube Provençale, venison with juniper, porcini risotto, or firm cheeses like aged Comté—the wine’s freshness and fine tannins keep richness in check.
Built to age, this cuvée drinks well on release but hits its stride from 5–7 years after harvest, cruising comfortably for 12–15+ in strong vintages. Over time it gains leather, tobacco, fig and balsamic complexity while the garrigue and mineral line stay vivid—an old-vine Châteauneuf that delivers both impact and poise, unmistakably Grand Veneur.
