Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Ventoux Silica—a single-parcel selection of 90% Grenache and 10% Cinsault from a sandy site—showcases complexity and elegance. Menthol and cool fruit on the nose, with cherries and raspberries joined by orange zest and herb notes, make for a complex and compelling bouquet. The palate is full-bodied but not weighty, framed by silky tannins and finishing with lovely harmony.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Mulled strawberries, kirsch liqueur, baking spices, and assorted Provençal herbs all define the 2021 Ventoux Silica. Medium-bodied, with a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and outstanding length, it’s accessible now, yet I suspect it will be even better in 2-3 years and drink brilliantly over the following decade.
Rating: 92+ -
James Suckling
Dark cherries, plums, licorice and dried spices dominate on the nose. Medium to full body with fine tannins. Precise and well-framed with a juicy core of cherries and a touch of kirsch as well. Dried herbs and spices kick in towards the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Vegan. Drink or hold.
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.