Domaine Brunely, 'Les Secrets de Licorne,' Vielles Vignes, Vacqueyras, Rhone, France, 2023

Overview of the Wine
The estate is located on the Garrigue plateau, a renowned terroir of the Vacqueyras appellation, the estate’s main production.

Charles Carichon planted the first vines with his father Rémy, over 25 hectares of vines that were later classified in the famous Vacqueyras appellation. The oldest vines are located on the garrigue plateau where the cuvée “Les secrets de la licorne” (Secrets of the Unicorn) comes from, in reference to the history of the coat of arms.

The estate subsequently modernized and expanded from its initial 25 hectares to its current 70 hectares, adding other prestigious appellations such as Gigondas or Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône, Ventoux and Cairanne. A highly varied range of Rhône Valley crus, reds, whites and rosés, all vinified, matured and bottled at the Domaine.

After studying management and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in wine business at Montpellier Supagro, Edouard, the third generation to join the domaine, is now promoting his wines to a wide audience of professionals, amateurs and connoisseurs, in order to perpetuate the family know-how.

Natural.

Winemaker
Edouard Carichon

Grape / Blend
60% Grenache, 40% Syrah

Origin
Rhône, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Dense ruby with garnet highlights. Intense nose of fine spices, with a fruity touch of red cherries. Beautiful richness on the palate, with a sweetness that adds charm, a fairly dense body, tight tannins and a long, persistent finish. 

Food pairing: large game, red meat, barbecue, sirloin steak.

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Vacqueyras Les Secrets De La Licorne brings a touch more classic, Provençal style in its ripe black cherry, melted licorice, and sappy, floral, garrigue-like nuances. It's a rich, powerful 2023 that has tons of fruit and a voluptuous, layered mouthfeel. It puts its foot firmly on the ripeness scale while staying pure and balanced. A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, the wine was completely destemmed and aged in a mix of oak barrels and concrete tanks for 12 to 18 months. 

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This wine opens with fresh black fruit elegantly framed by rose, clove, green peppercorn, lavender, sage, and wild thyme. The palate is silky, with youthful tannins already showing graceful integration. Hints of cocoa and clove add depth, still weaving into the fruit but promising further harmony with time. Beautifully structured and poised to evolve through 2035+.

Product size: 750ml