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Tasting notes

Tasting notes
Score 92/100 · Drink 2019-2026, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, Sep 2020

The 2017 Ventoux Il Etait Une Fois is 80% Grenache (from vines planted in 1936) and 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah. The Grenache goes into foudre, while the other varieties go into new barriques. Delicate notes of dried spices accent black cherries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate has a luscious, suede-like texture, and the finish is vibrant and long.

Critic scores

Critic scores
93
93/100

Average Score

16
16/20

Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com

94
94/100

Jeb Dunnuck

More reviews and scores

94 points
Jeb Dunnuck
Score 94/100 · Drink 2019-2034, Jeb Dunnuck, Aug 2019

Awesome notes of kirsch, camphor, graphite, and crushed flowers as well as plenty of savory minerality emerge from the 2017 Ventoux Il Etait Une Fois, a seamless, medium to full-bodied wine that makes the most of the vintage. This cuvée is always Grenache-dominated (there's 10% each of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan, brought up all in foudre), and I suspect it will keep for 10-15 years. This reference point estate in Ventoux continues to make a bevy of brilliant wines. While their more Grenache dominated releases ooze Provençal charm, I always find a more Northern Rhône like vibe in their Syrahs.

15.5 points
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Score 15.5/20 · Drink 2019-2025, Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com, Nov 2018

Cask sample. Far less reductive and rubbery than their Persia and Divergente cuvées. Slight smoked bacon notes on the nose. Fine-grained tannins, fresh acid, simple red fruit. Finishes with the same bitter tang of their other wines, though. (RH)

About the producer

Domaine de Fondreche
View Producer

Product details

Grape Blend

Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro

Colour

Red

Taste

Dry

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