Sunday, January 16, 2011

La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux, 2007

This Ventoux is a blend similar to the Trois Messes Basses (below) but with 30% Cinsault replacing the 30% Carignane. It's a more typical Southern Rhone personality.

Deep brilliant ruby, medium to light./ The fragrance of Ventoux and the Provencal countryside are apparent from the first sniff--fresh raspberries, red spices and flowers. This wine is very ripe in the 2007 mode but not at all over done. It's like a bowl of fresh berries with flavors that coat the palate leaving no hard edges. Medium bodied, ripe, long finish. Very typical of Ventoux and of La Vieille Ferme, although a bit riper and more forward than either the 2005 or 2006.

Cinsault and Carignane are both blending grapes, adding color, body, tannins and additional flavor dimensions to Grenache-based wines. For me, the spiciness of Cinsault is reminiscent of cinnamon and white pepper compared to the lemon peel of Carignane.

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