Winemaker Notes
Blend: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
While not made in 2013, the 2012 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee Artemia (50/50 Grenache and Syrah) is another elegant, gorgeously pure wine that offers medium to full-bodied richness, loads of flowers, violets and black raspberry aromas and flavors, as well as sensational tannin quality. It has the polish and balance to drink nicely now, but it has another decade of longevity.
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Wine Spectator
Frankly toasty but well-integrated, with a polished frame of mocha around a core of alluring plum sauce, warmed fig and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors. The mocha profile takes an encore on the finish, while a floral flicker adds range and contrast.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Stretching across the slopes of the Ventoux mountain in the southeastern region of the Rhône River Valley, Cotes du Ventoux excels in the production of spicy and characterful red blends based on Grenache, Syrah, and other indigenous varieties. The region also produces rich and aromatic whites and rosés.