Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, the 2022 Ventoux Artemia reflects what family member Fred Chaudière calls "a more northern expression of Syrah." Scents of menthol, pepper, violets and blueberries appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is silky, focused and elegant, with a softly dusty finish. It should drink well for a decade or more.
Barrel Sample: 92-94 -
Wine Enthusiast
A heady bouquet of rose petal lays over black cherry, clove, black tea leaf, and warm stone. The palate offers levity, with an acidic cut that enlivens its floral core. Fine herbs add depth to the midpalate and trails into a long, gentle, stony finish. Focused yet elegant, this is an approachable expression with undeniable grace.
Editors' Choice -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Ventoux Artemia is a beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied wine that delivers layers of blackberries, violets, spring flowers, and red berries, supported by notes of spice and cracked pepper. Elegant and finely textured, it has terrific purity and a seamless finish. It should drink well over the next 7-8 years.
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James Suckling
A textured and well-composed blend of syrah and grenache that shows aromas of dark plums, blackberries and spices. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Solid and direct, with pulpy fruit and spices on the palate. Fresh finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
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Wine Spectator
Theres savory density behind the black currant and plum notes, layered with dried thyme, dark earth, tobacco leaf and graphite. An unadorned, pure style, with tension and lift. Baking spices and sandalwood smoke line the harmonious, fresh 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.