2018 Ventoux Il etait une fois

Absolutely gorgeous meatiness on the nose, with silky tannins, smoky oak and delicious black fruit – this could be Côte Rôtie. There's proper wow factor here. Lengthy, savoury, complete and complex. Rich but not over-extracted – this is superb. (RH)

The 2018 Ventoux Il Etait Une Fois is more floral, perfumed and red-fruited than either the 2017 or 2019 versions. Tasted as a blended sample prior to bottling last year, it delivers raspberry and slightly herbal flavors on a medium to full-bodied palate. The tannins are ripe and velvety, but the acids remain lively, adding a crisp edge to the finish.

The 2018 Ventoux Il Etait Une Fois is the top Grenache in the lineup (there are small amounts of barrel-aged Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre) and it's brought up mostly in foudre. This is another incredible looking barrel sample from this team that sports a deep purple color, notes of black raspberries, ground pepper, incense, and spice, medium to full body, terrific purity of fruit, and a layered, balanced, concentrated profile. It's going to drink nicely right out of the gate yet keep for a decade. 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.