Winemaker Notes
Golden white with bright reflects. Complex nose that mixes aromas of white flowers and exotic fruits (pineapple) and spices (saffron, curry). Ample and round. Rich and balanced in the same time, with a good freshness, saltiness, and a powerful aromatic intensity.
Gorgeous pairing with a truffle risotto and fish such as sole. It pairs ideally with a marinated chicken with candied lemon or a dry goat cheese with olive oil.
Blend: 80% Roussanne, 20% Clairette
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Ventoux Quintessence Blanc was made from 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette, with 60% brought up in 10% new demi-muids and the rest in tank and concrete. Ripe pears, white flowers, spice, and subtle toasted notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful texture and the fresh, pure, precise style of the vintage.
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James Suckling
This has aromas of lemon pith, sweet basil, white pepper and fresh apricots. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and creamy. Lightly peppery at the end. From organically grown grapes. Vegan.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Ventoux Quintessence Blanc is a blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette, sourced from limestone-rich soils at 300 meters in altitude and matured in a mix of 600-liter barrels and concrete eggs, with no malolactic fermentation. Aromas of ripe pear, lemon, white flowers and subtle exotic spices preface a medium-bodied and layered palate that is textural yet taut, with a core of stone and citrus fruit underpinned by bright acids and a discreetly saline finish.
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Wine Spectator
Offers an alluring mix of chamomile, dried herbs and meadow blossoms aug- mented by ripe orchard fruit. A cleansing blast of cool stone minerality and saline energy keeps this pumping along. Harmonious. Roussanne and Clairette.
Full-bodied and flavorful, white Rhône blends originate from France’s Rhône Valley. Today these blends are also becoming popular in other regions. Typically some combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier form the basis of a white Rhône blend with varying degrees of flexibility depending on the exact appellation. Somm Secret—In the Northern Rhône, blends of Marsanne and Roussanne are common but the south retains more variety. Marsanne, Roussanne as well as Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picpoul and Ugni Blanc are typical.
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.