Winemaker Notes
Blend: 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Cotes du Ventoux is a straight up great value. Made from 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre, aged in one-third each concrete eggs, foudre and barrels, its saturated purple color is followed by rockin’ notes of black and blue fruits, olive, graphite and saddle leather, with just a kiss of barrique. Long, elegant and with a supple finish, you’re not going find this quality at this price very often. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years (although it will keep longer).
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.