Ventoux AOC - 24 wines to try WHITES
Château Juvenal, Ribes du Vallat, Ventoux 2022 92
An interesting and complex wine, with fleshy orchard fruit, subtle nuttiness (blanched almonds, fresh hazelnuts) and an elegant mineral backbone. Very food-friendly with good mid-palate weight. Finishes with a saline and toasty twist. Organic certified. Alc 14%
Domaine Marsaleix, Phoenix, Ventoux 2021 90
Seductive mineral and zesty nose, dominated by lemon zest, melon and crunchy pineapple. On the palate, lime zest and lemon curd are topped by chamomile and freshly cut celery. Subtle smoky flintiness. Good tension throughout. Alc 13.5%
Château Saint Pons, Les Justes, Ventoux 2022 90
Pale salmon. Pink citrus and sweet red fruit dominate – raspberry, wild strawberry, red apple, pink grapefruit – topped by floral and herbal notes (rose petals, crushed mint). Good persistence and textural character. HVE certified. Alc 13%
Domaine des Peyre, La Gazette, Ventoux 2022 91
Elegant, savoury nose of liquorice and sage, with a flinty edge. Very pleasant and intriguing on the palate, with depth and complexity. Needs time in bottle to integrate wood and soften the tannins, but there’s great potential here. HVE certified. Alc 15%
Château Pesquié, Quintessence, Ventoux 2022 91
Great tension and focus. Vibrant white and yellow citrus (lemon, white grapefruit, yuzu) in counterpoint to crunchy yellow apple, pear and juicy melon. Good acidity throughout and a zesty, lively finish. Alc 13.5%
Rhonéa, Passe Colline, Ventoux 2023 89
An enjoyable and refreshing wine, perfect for the Spring days ahead. Lime zest, crunchy pear, green apple and white grapefruit mingle on the palate, lifted by hints of white flowers, jasmine and linden. Vibrant zesty acidity throughout. Alc 13.5%
Martinelle, Ventoux 2022 92
Deep and fragrant bouquet, with ripe black fruit (blueberry and thyme jam, plum) against a background of violets. The palate surprises for its freshness and firm acid line, which helps lift the warmth of the alcohol. Nice complexity and potential to age in bottle, developing a savoury edge. Long finish. Organic certified. Alc 14.5%
Rémy Ferbras, Rémy Ferbras, Ventoux 2022 91
Vibrant red fruit underpinned by a savoury and smoky edge. The smooth tannins are lined by a seductive earthiness – dried herbs, barnyard, charred wood. Approachable yet structured, with supple acidity adding freshness and length. Pleasant finish with a zesty kick. Alc 14.5%
Maison Phetisson Bonnefoy, Caroline Bonnefoy, Ventoux 2022 91
Deep and intense, with a crunchy core of green apple, peach and apple peel, smoky nuances (toasted almonds, hazelnut shells) and wild fennel spiciness. Focused, robust acidity. Organic certified. Alc 13%
Via Caritatis, Lux de Caelo Rosé, Ventoux 2022 91
A deep salmon rosé with aromas of orange zest, wild strawberries, cranberry, redcurrant and red cherry. The palate is focused, with good acid tension and pink grapefruit zestiness, while subtle herbaceousness adds nuance. Drinks like a good white, with great food pairing potential. Alc 14%
Domaine Aymard, Les Grappes, Ventoux 2022 91
Fragrant, very Grenache-led nose, with delicate red fruit and rose petal aromas topped by an exotic touch of passionfruit, papaya, guava and banana. Super fresh and vibrant, with loads of drinkability, juiciness and alluring, soft tannins. Alc 14.5%
Bonpas, Grande Réserve des Challières, Ventoux 2022 90
Although the red fruit has a somewhat confected quality on the nose, the palate surprises with its vibrancy, zesty juiciness and focus. Ripe strawberry, plum and raspberry mingle, lifted by a firm acid line throughout. Alc 13.5%
Domaine Solence, Les 3 Pères, Ventoux 2022 90
Playful flintiness over black fruit and herbs on the nose. The palate is elegant and complex, with well-honed tannins and a transparent quality to the plum, blackcurrant, blackberry, wild oregano, thyme and black olive flavours. An elegant wine. Organic certified. Alc 13.5%
Cave de Bonnieux, Terres Rouges, Ventoux 2021 90
Alluring nose, a touch reductive, with a deep core of black fruit. This intense dark fruit is underpinned by a layer of garrigue and charred wood. Nice tannic framework with hints of pepper and anise spice. Long finish with lingering tapenade and sweet liquorice. Alc 14.5%
Domaine Leschancel, Lerécit Rouge, Ventoux 2020 91
Lovely savoury layer of bayleaf, oregano and tapenade lining the crunchy and juicy raspberry, cranberry and sour cherry fruit. Firm yet fine tannins. A really pleasant and lively wine, with drinkability, energy and complexity in equal measures. Alc 14%
Chêne Bleu, Astralabe, Ventoux 2019 90
A layered wine, with good intensity and focus. The fleshy core of black fruit (mulberry, prune, blackberry) is lined with dried thyme, tarragon and sage. Wild oregano, sweet liquorice and black olive linger on the palate. Some ageing potential still. Biodynamic certified. Alc 14%
Jullien Thomas, Sur le Fil, Ventoux 2022 90
Very delicate character to the fruit, led by ripe strawberries, cranberry and plum jam. An earthy edge adds rustic allure. Lingering strawberry on the finish, held by soft savoury tannins. Very approachable and drinkable, perfect for wine bars. Organic certified. Alc 12%
Domaine du Chat Blanc, Cuvée Première, Ventoux 2021 89
Deep and intense aromas of black fruit, garrigue and black olive tapenade. Good focus throughout and a delicious savoury finish, of salty liquorice, thyme and wild oregano. Hints of forest floor and wild herbs add intrigue and complexity. Organic certified. Alc 14.5%
Domaine des Anges, Archange, Ventoux 2020 91
Seductive, deep nose of black cherry, dark plum, prune, dried figs and cherry compote. There’s energy and focus throughout, with zesty acid and well presented tannins lifting the ripe fruit, alongside touches of sage, oregano and tapenade. Pleasantly refreshing finish. Alc 15%
Château Unang, La Gardy, Ventoux 2018 92
A characterful wine, with a delicious palate of red fruit topped by a vegetal layer. Sour cherry, rhubarb, red plum and blood orange dominate, with a juicy fleshiness throughout. Very fresh and lifted, with tomato leaf and guava on the finish. Alc 14%
Le Mas des Flauzières, La Reserve de Pereyras, Ventoux 2021 92
Poised, firm tannins hold a core of pure black fruit (prune, blackcurrant, cassis). Thyme, oregano, dried sage and mint play in the background. Good balance, tension and focus throughout; a nice, refreshing finish with a black tea edge. A very fine wine. HVE certified. Alc 13%
Domaine de Fondrèche, Il Etait une Fois, Ventoux 2020 92
Deep, intriguing nose with notes of seaweed, bayleaf and Earl Grey tea. On the palate this savoury complexity is underscored by plum, red cherry and wild strawberry fruit. A lovely balance of juiciness and savoury depth; good energy driven by fine, refreshing tannins. Alc 14.5%
Domaine Vindemio, Amadeus, Ventoux 2020 89
Lifted notes of red fruit and dried herbs dominate the bouquet. Cranberry juice, raspberry and wild strawberry mingle on the palate, lifted by good focus and acidity. Elegant savoury tail of wild oregano and thyme. Organic certified. Alc 15%
Domaine Vintur, Le Gentleman, Ventoux 2017 92
Very playful interplay of earthy, herbal and ripe red fruit notes; sour cherry, blood orange and red plum are underscored by crushed mint, sage and oregano. Fine, refreshing tannins – an interesting wine with energy and character. Organic certified. Alc 14.5%