This bottling offers lots of peppery, spicy red and black fruit aromas and flavors

One of Vacqueyras’ reference point estates, Domaine Le Couroulu is run by Guy Richard. From just over 42 acres of vines, Richard consistently fashions serious, well-made wines from the appellation’s limestone plateau and the rocky top soils known as the Galets Roules. The wines, which spend 18-29 months in tank and neutral wood, are undeniable bargains for top-notch southern Rhone wines.