Sunday, May 27, 2012

Cuvee des 3 Messes Basses Ventoux, 2009

This wine and the Altitude 500 Ventoux (below) are both made by the cooperative at Bedoin. They offer  evidence that this coop has the facilities to produce good wine in the best Southern Rhone tradition. They differ in personality, but as for quality it's hard to choose between them.

Lighter in color than the Altitude 500; I think that is partly because of a different cuvee: 50% Grenache, 30% Carignane, 20% Syrah. Spicier than the Altitude 500 and a different blend of spices--lavender, thyme, rosemary, very Provencal. Also the trademark black pepper. This 2009 has been on the shelf a couple of years longer than the same vintage of Altitude 500, and I suspect it was bottled earlier as well since it seems at a more advanced stage of maturity. The vigor that was its trademark a couple of years ago has calmed a bit, but the wine still has plenty of life. Right now, I prefer it to the Alttude 500.

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