"Made from a single parcel of Syrah planted in 1955, this benchmark Ventoux red calibrates the finesse and angularity of Syrah with the intensity of southern Rhône sunshine and a saline, stony minerality. A powerful wine, it is also dazzlingly fresh, with chalky, fine tannins and a piercing, crystalline finish. Delicious young, the wine should ripen well through 2030 and last even longer." (Wine Enthusiast 2021)
Features
Estate
Domaine de Fondrèche
Cuvée
Divergente
Vintage
2018
Designation
Ventoux
Region
Rhône
Grape varieties
Vieilles Syrah plantées en 1955, exposition au soleil levant
Terroirs
Ancient alluvium, very stony soil (rolled pebbles, flint and crystalline), calcareous from the surface with a sandy-clay texture.
Viticulture
Ecologically, without chemical weedkillers and according to the lunar calendar
Harvest
Manual
Winemaking
Traditional, 21-day vatting with only minor punching down.
Breeding
12 months on lees in tuns and barrels
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Intense, dark purple colour
Nose
Bouquet of black raspberries, blueberries, spring flowers, violets, followed by a light toastiness.
Mouth
Opulent without heaviness, voluminous without excess, present but silky tannins. A pure, elegant wine.
Serve
AT 16-18°C
Drink before
2030
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with wild boar stew, grilled beef, pork pluma with thyme...
Domaine de Fondrèche
Ventoux
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Domaine rated (2020 guide) 2*Stars (A serious and recommendable production, but a little more regular and homogeneous than the previous one)
About the domain :
This top-quality estate is masterfully run by the dynamic Sébastien Vincenti, who has established it as one of Ventoux's most serious and consistent producers. The 38-hectare vineyard is farmed organically, including a large 28-hectare parcel around the estate on stony clay-limestone soils. The estate produces mainly red wines, including the superb Cuvée Nature N, vinified without added sulfur and a model of its kind. An address not to be missed in the region.
Guide Hachette des vins
Domaine noté (guide 2022) Award-winning wines (The wines of this producer are regularly awarded by the guide)
About the domain :
Nanou Barthélemy and her son Sébastien Vincenti acquired the property in 1995, built and steadily improved the winery, and recomposed the 40-hectare vineyard, which is farmed organically and biodynamically (without certification), making Fondrèche one of the benchmarks of the Ventoux PDO.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated (2020 guide) 92-94/100 (Wonderful wine)
Domaine noté (guide 2021) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the wine:
Tasted last year on a single new Stockinger foudre, the 2018 Ventoux Divergente is fruitier than 2017 or 2019. Pencil shavings frame raspberry notes on the nose, while the palate is medium-bodied, with a ripe, creamy-textured mouthfeel, but also a clean edge on the crystalline finish.
Wine Spectator
Rated 92/100 (Outstanding wine)
Wine Enthusiast
Rated wine (guide 2021) 96/100
Domaine noté (guide 2021) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Wine Enthusiast)
About the wine:
Produced from a single plot of Syrah planted in 1955, this benchmark Ventoux red calibrates the finesse and angularity of Syrah with the intensity of southern Rhône sunshine and a saline, stony minerality. A powerful wine, it is also dazzlingly fresh, with chalky, fine tannins and a piercing, crystalline finish. Delicious young, this wine should mature well into 2030 and last even longer.
Jancis Robinson
Graded area (2020 guide) Recommended
Jeb Dunnuck
Rated 93-95/100
Customer reviews
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