2010 Domaine de Fondrèche "Nadal" Ventoux

The 2010 Cotes du Ventoux Nadal is a blend of 45% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre (both aged in small oak barrels) and 45% Grenache (aged in concrete tanks). The good news is that there are 30,000 bottles of this sensational effort. Its deep purple color is followed by aromas of fresh truffles, licorice, cassis and kirsch. Full-bodied and opulent with good acidity and sweet tannin, this concentrated, impressively long Cotes du Ventoux should evolve for a decade. (10/2011)

(45% each grenache and syrah with 10% mourvedre): Glass-staining ruby. Pungent dark berry and floral aromas show very good clarity and pick up spiciness with air. A juicy, refreshingly bitter, silky midweight offering zesty blackberry and cherry flavors and a touch of mint. The tangy finish shows firm grip and lingering spiciness. (5/2012)

"Nearly every shrewd wine consumer is aware of the remarkable wines that emanate from this high-quality, biodynamically run estate in the Ventoux," writes Robert Parker. "A long-standing point of reference for what is possible from this outlying appellation east of the Côtes du Rhône-Villages and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, etc., this operation has been run with great precision and passion by proprietors Sebastien Vincenti and Nanou Barthelemy. The natural, pure, uncomplicated, fresh, lively wines they produce are a message to everyone trying to produce something special from relatively obscure areas. Fondreche certainly has an impressive track record of making wines that consumers adore. However, these wines do have limited aging potential. In the case of their top reds, for example, they keep about 4-5 years, possibly longer, but they are so good young, who cares about aging? The white wines are generally fermented in barrel, then moved to tank and bottled early for their freshness and delightful fruit." (10/2012) 14.5% abv.