Le Sang des Cailloux Cuvee Lopy by Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: blackberry, garrigue, cured olive, dried herbs, white pepper

Palate: dark plum, tobacco, mineral iron, medium-firm tannins, long earthy finish

The flagship red Vacqueyras from Sang des Cailloux; structured, mineral, and herb-driven, with excellent depth and length for the appellation.

What it pairs with

Grilled lamb chops with thyme
Classic Southern Rhone pairing; herb notes and firm tannins handle lamb.
Duck breast with olive tapenade
Mineral iron and dark fruit complement duck and olive.
Aged goat cheese
Firm mineral tannins match the intensity of aged goat cheese.

How to serve Le Sang des Cailloux Cuvee Lopy

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
Pair with. Grilled lamb chops with thyme, Duck breast with olive tapenade, Aged goat cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Cuvee Lopy is the flagship red of Sang des Cailloux, the estate that arguably defines what Vacqueyras should taste like. Serge Ferigoule runs the domaine with minimal intervention, old foudres, and no new oak.

1988 — Cuvee Lopy first produced as the flagship red at Sang des Cailloux

Facts

Producer: Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux
Grapes: Grenache (70%), Mourvedre (15%), Syrah (10%), Cinsault (5%)
Classification: Vacqueyras AOC
Oak: Old foudres and demi-muids; no new oak
ABV: 14.5%
Price: EUR 25-40 at retail
Drinking window: 3-12 from vintage
First vintage: 1988
Organic: ORGANIC CERTIFIED

Frequently asked about Le Sang des Cailloux Cuvee Lopy

What does Le Sang des Cailloux Cuvee Lopy taste like?

On the nose, blackberry, garrigue, cured olive, dried herbs, white pepper. On the palate, dark plum, tobacco, mineral iron, medium-firm tannins, long earthy finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. The flagship red Vacqueyras from Sang des Cailloux; structured, mineral, and herb-driven, with excellent depth and length for the appellation.

When should I drink Le Sang des Cailloux Cuvee Lopy?

Drink 3-12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Le Sang des Cailloux Cuvee Lopy?

Grilled lamb chops with thyme is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Duck breast with olive tapenade and Aged goat cheese. Classic Southern Rhone pairing; herb notes and firm tannins handle lamb.

What grapes are in Le Sang des Cailloux Cuvee Lopy?

The blend is Grenache (70%), Mourvedre (15%), Syrah (10%), Cinsault (5%). The wine is classified as Vacqueyras AOC.

Le Sang des Cailloux Cuvee Lopy