Winemaker Notes
Cuvée Artemia comes from two vineyards at Château Pesquie – a Grenache vineyard on pebbly limestone that is one of the Chaudiere family’s highest elevation sites, and a Syrah vineyard on alluvial soils at an elevation of 340 meters above sea level. Both sites are low-bearing – between 20-25hl/ha – and the finished wine is a result of a strict selection of this fruit which is destemmed and fermented in oak vats followed by aging in concrete tanks and 225 & 600L French oak barrels.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Ventoux Artemia is also brilliant. Checking in as an even split of Grenache and Syrah, it reveals a medium ruby/purple color as well as a beautiful perfume of black raspberry and wild strawberry-like fruits intermixed with lots of peppery garrigue, flowery incense, and a distinct sense of minerality. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has silky tannins, a wonderful sense of minerality, and outstanding length on the palate. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following decade as well.
Range: 92-94 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Scents of smoked meat and blueberries emerge on the nose of the 2019 Ventoux Artemia, a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache from a single, high-altitude vineyard. This aged in a mix of concrete tanks, barriques and demi-muids. Medium to full-bodied, it's silky and fine, with a long, mouthwatering finish.
-
Wine Spectator
This has a very enticing burst of dark plum, blackberry and plum fruit flavors backed by singed alder and sandalwood notes on the tobacco-infused finish. Syrah and Grenache.
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.