Winemaker Notes
Dark purple black berries (cherry), garrigues and black olives notes. Very ample structure, richness and power balanced by the freshness of the Ventoux terroir, garrigues, black cherry and tarry notes with velvety tannins. Blend: 80% Syrah 20% Grenache.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, the 2017 Ventoux Quintessence offers a complex bouquet of Herbes de Provence, ripe cherries, ground pepper, and orange zest. It's medium-bodied, silky and sexy on the palate, with fine tannin, terrific fruit, and a great, great finish. Drink it any time over the coming decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Ventoux Quintessence turned out a bit disappointing after the performance of the prebottling sample. Dominated by notes of leather, spice and cola, it just seems to lack the freshness I saw the previous year. It's full-bodied and velvety in texture, with plenty of concentration, and should drink well for the next 4-5 years.
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.