Chateau Pesquie 2020 Ventoux Edition 1912M 750ml

Édition 1912m honours Mont Ventoux, standing 1912 meters above the sea, and is said to be the last real mountain of the Alps chain, commonly referred to as the Giant of Provence. This is the third edition of this label for us, and it is as good as last year if not better. The nose is enticing with rich peppery red fruit doused with the obligatory savoury garrigue. More supple strawberry/black cherry lifted by violets, minerals, and wild herbs jump from a very fresh palate. Ventoux is one of the coldest, windiest areas of the southern Rhône, which explains its joyous freshness. The blend is a 70/30 mix of grenache with syrah and mouvédre. The vinification is in stainless and concrete tanks for fifteen days, and none of the wine sees oak. It is perfect for pizza, but it will also perform well with charcuterie, meat pies, empanadas, beef tacos, and more.

Score: 91 points -- Anthony Gismondi, gismondionwine.com, 2022