2021 Domaine Santa Duc Vacqueyras Les Aubes
Regular price $39.98
The Domaine Santa Duc takes its name from the Grand Duc owl found in the region: a fittingly noble symbol for some hallowed plots in the Rhône Valley. Though the Gras family has been established in Gigondas for close to 150 years, Yves Gras began to scout out new parcels when he took over the domaine in 1985, as well as turning to organic farming practices. His son Benjamin, who is now in charge, has continued further in the same vein: moving into biodynamics and incorporating plots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and elsewhere. Benjamin’s wines ferment whole-cluster with indigenous yeasts and are bottled unfiltered. This blend of 80% grenache and 20% syrah comes from vines averaging 60 years of age in the Vacqueyras lieux-dits of Les Aubes and La Ponche. Both sites consist of primarily sandy soils, with a small proportion of clay. The hand-harvested grapes are partially destemmed and ferment for 20-30 days before aging for 18 months in foudres (90%) and terracotta amphorae (10%). Concentrated flavors of ripe red and black fruit abound, with a subtle peppery, licorice kick. Certified biodynamic, vegan. The Vacqueyras Les Aubes has substantial fruit and earthy notes mixed with notes of pepper and licorice.
Shipping Policy
- Unless your delivery address is on the West Coast, we strongly discourage you from selecting “Ground Service” as your shipping method. During the winter and summer months, weather conditions (temperature) and longer delivery times can often result in the spoilage of your order. It doesn’t make sense to invest in fine wines and then take the chance of ruining them due environmental factors during transit (faster and safer delivery generally isn’t much more expensive). We don’t make an additional profit on accelerated delivery, but we frequently recommend faster shipping options to our customers outside the West Coast.
- You must be 21 years of age to order or receive alcoholic beverages. Any shipments containing alcoholic beverages are sent with an “Adult Signature Required” sticker, and the common carrier that delivers our merchandise is required to ask and check for identification upon delivery. This means that an adult will have to be present at the time of delivery. Please consider shipping to an office address.
- During periods of extreme weather, we attempt to ship wines at the beginning of each week in order to get shipments to you before the weekend. This is because we have no control over the temperature conditions at our freight carriers’ warehouses. The result may be that your shipment doesn’t go out the day that you place an order.
- We ship by Fedex or Fedex Ground. Our prices include packaging materials. Insurance may be available for an additional charge.
- Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. will arrange for shipment on behalf of the buyer, to an address specified by the buyer, provided that Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. in its sole judgment believes that such shipment will not subject Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. to the risk of any sort of legal action or other harm. If a buyer lives in a state where the direct shipment of wine by Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. violates the law, we suggest that the buyer provide an alternative address in another state or have their wine shipped to a third-party storage facility in a direct shipping-friendly state.
- Various states impose limitations on the quantity of alcoholic beverages that may be purchased and brought into their jurisdiction by a purchaser from another state without requiring the purchaser, a seller or shipper to possess certain licenses or permits. Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. does not, as a condition of sale, assume any obligation nor bear any responsibility whatsoever for applying or obtaining any permits or licenses. Therefore, we recommend that you investigate the possibility of such limitations, and determine the manner in which alcoholic beverages shall be brought into your state from California, so as to comply with all of your state’s requirements.
- Wine shipping rules in the United States are controlled by the state you live in. We do not ship wine to the following states at this time:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Delaware
Kansas - Kentucky
Louisiana - Maine
Maryland - Massachusetts
Michigan - Mississippi
Montana - Nevada
New York - North Dakota
Oklahoma - Pennsylvania
Rhode Island - South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
List Updated 2/1/2023
Please inquire about international shipping.
Vintage Wine Merchants
377 Santana Row, Suite 1135
San Jose, CA 95128
408-260-1115
