2021 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rouge

Staff Reviews

KM

Keith Mabry

Keith Mabry

K&L Buyer

The 2021 vintage is one of the most elegant versions of this wine I have had in some time. The wine has all the hallmarks of old school Rhone flavors with its aromas of strawberry and tobacco leaf. There are lovely flavors of pomegranate, bay leaf and roasted fennel on the palate. For those looking to get back to a bit more classic flavors in the Rhone, this should be at the top of your list of wines to add to your weeknight rotation.

Notes

Located in the foothills of Mont Ventoux lies one of the top producers in the Ventoux region of the Rhône - Domaine de Fondrèche. Vigneron Sebastien Vincenti took over the winemaking from his mother in 2005. With an eye toward biodiversity and using organic and biodynamic practices for many years, Fondrèche was recently certified organic in 2022. The winery sits on a plateau comprised of alluvial soils of clay and gravel with a mix of silex (flint) thrown in for good measure. The Ventoux Rouge is composed of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre from vines averaging 40-45 years of age. Grapes are fermented using native yeasts and aged in a mix of vat, foudre, and concrete egg. This berry-forward expression is always a delight and always over delivers for the price.