Chateâu Pesquié in the Southern Rhône is among the Ventoux appellation’s brightest stars, and their new vintage of Terrasses Ventoux Rouge is on the money!
Produced from the estate’s old, terraced vines at 300m altitude just below Mont Ventoux (known as the giant of Provence), the 2021 is wonderfully complex, showing floral notes, red and black fruit and spices. It has a deep but lively palate, mineral intensity and deliciously ripe tannins with a very long finish. The 60/40 blend of Grenache and Syrah is raised in concrete and stainless steel, allowing the chalky minerality of the vineyards’ limestone soils to shine through.
This classy cuvée from one of Robert Parker’s ‘all-time favorite producers in France’ is ‘a phenomenal bargain’ at only R235. It also consistently ranks highly on Jeb Dunnuck’s annual Top 100 value list.
With their history dating back to the 19th century, Alexandre and Frédéric Chaudière’s family were pioneers of the Ventoux region. The brothers continue the visionary work of their parents, focusing on high-altitude Grenache and Syrah from unique limestone and clay-rich soils. They showcase the cooler conditions by producing wines of purity, freshness and elegance. ‘With Frédéric recently being elected head of the appellation, expect more visibility for this underrated region,’ writes the Wine Advocate.
Don’t pass up on their Le Paradou Grenache 2021 – another knock-out value wine for only R180. Delicious and unpretentious, Le Paradou is a ‘Vin de France’ produced from vines that are up to 60 years old, while their single-vineyard cuvées are next level. View the full range here.
TASTING NOTES
Pesquié Terrasses Ventoux Rouge 2021
‘A rough blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah (there are a few other varieties in there), the 2021 Ventoux Terrasses offers a juicy Grenache nose of ripe red and black berries, peppery herbs, and violets, with some chalky minerality that comes through on the palate. Medium-bodied, lively, and fresh, with good density, it delivers ripe tannins and a great finish. It should easily be an outstanding wine.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, 92/100
