Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Ventoux Silica is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Cinsault, raised in a mix of demi-muids and concrete eggs. Full-bodied yet light and airy at the same time, it's soft and silky across the mid-palate, then shows bright acids and slightly accentuated tannins on the long, mouthwatering finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Ventoux Silica is based on 90% Grenache and 10% Cinsault, and it's always a more feminine, elegant wine in the lineup. Ripe strawberries, cherries, sappy herbs, and floral notes all define the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has ripe, chalky tannins, good balance, and solid length. It doesn't have the seamlessness found in the 2020, and I suspect will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age.
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.