Chateau Pesquie Artemia Rouge 2018
Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesExotic, smoky nose of black olive and earthy redcurrant, then on to a plush palate graced with blackberry, clove, spice and a silky acidity.
Impressive as a prospective blend taken from equal proportions of barriques, demi-muids and tanks, the 2018 Ventoux Artemia boasts exuberant notes of cherries and blueberries accented by assertive notes of cracked pepper. It's full-bodied, creamy and lush, then firms up just enough on the finish to think it will have a decade of longevity. Rating: (92-94)
A blend of 75% Syrah and 15% Grenache, the 2018 Ventoux Artemia was brought up in all in wood, 40% being new. This cuvée is mostly not destemmed and always seems to be the more Northern Rhône in the lineup. A Hermitage-like bouquet of smoked black fruits, smoked meat, violets, ground pepper, and bacon fat gives way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, seamless red that has ample fruit, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It’s certainly an outstanding wine and I suspect will keep nicely for 10-12 years.
Rating: 91-93
Chateau Pesquié is the story of three generations of passionate winemakers. Odette and René Bastide, took over the vineyard in the beginning of the 1970’s and restructured a large part of it. They used to bring their grapes to the local Cooperative.
Edith and Paul Chaudière, René & Odette’s daughter and son-in-law, decided to give up their medical careers to take over the family estate in 1985. They traveled in many wine regions (in France, Spain, Germany, the US, etc.), became sommeliers and worked on terroir selection... This led them to create their own winery in 1990, first vintage of Château Pesquié. By then, it was one of 10 independent wineries: there are now more than 120.
Fred and Alex Chaudière, the two sons of Edith & Paul, have taken over gradually since 2003 with the firm objective to take it to the next level and show the world how amazing the Ventoux terroir is!
In the 80’s, Paul Chaudière began sustainable farming. When Alexandre & Frederic took over, they started moving to organic (first plot converted in 2007). The estate is now fully converted to organic agriculture (Ecocert).
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.
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.