2012 Cotes du Ventoux Terrasses

In the same mold and an awesome value year in and year out, the 2012 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses is a blend of 70% Grenache (60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah (30+-year-old vines) that was aged two-thirds in concrete (and some in stainless steel) and one-third in older oak. Made from a blend of different terroirs on the estate (and basically declassified Quintessence) and coming from hillside vineyards lying between 840-930 feet in elevation, it offers up a gorgeously pure, supple and seamless profile with kirsch and berry-styled fruit, licorice and spring flower-like qualities all emerging from the glass. Elegant, forward and delicious, it gains in stature in the glass, is ridiculously textured from such an inexpensive wine, and has sweet tannin emerging on the finish. Buy this thrill ride of a Cotes du Ventoux by the case and enjoy bottles over the coming 3-5 years. Easily one of my favorite estates from the up-and-coming Ventoux region, Chateau Pesquie is run by the talented brothers, Alexandre & Frederic Chaudiere. The wines sell for a song, yet always deliver high-quality, loads of character and impeccably made profiles. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

This can't be sold as Ventoux because the proportion of Viognier, 70%, is too high. Plus 15% Clairette and 15% Roussanne. It's a bit more interesting than the Paradou Blanc but is still a little heavy on fermentation aromas and a sweetish mid palate precedes a pinched end. (JR)