Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Pesquie La Terrasses Ventoux, 2008

The 2008 vintage of Pesquie La Terrasses Ventoux sold for less than $10 at D&W Market in Kalamazoo. That's about 40 to 50 percent less than more highly rated vintages such as 2009 and 2010. As far as I'm concerned, though, the quality is at least as good as those higher-priced vintages. Wish I had bought more while I had the opportunity.

The color is a deep crimson, perfect for a Southern Rhone. Very aromatic: blue plums, red berries, cinnamon and just the right amount of Grenache pepper. Plump and juiicy on the palate. Good finish. Everything you should expect from a Ventoux or from a Pesquie La Terrasses. I doubt that this 2008 is going to get any better, but I suspect it will hold at this level for a year or two.

Pesquie La Terrasses is always a bit pricier than other Ventoux wines, probably because it's marketed more effectively by Eric Solomon and, in top vintages, gets raves from Robert Parker. (The 2010 was awarded 94 points--undoubtedly the reason for the higher price.) But it's not necessarily any better than lower priced Ventoux such as La Vieille Ferme, Altitude 500, Font-Sane or Cuvee les Trois Messes Basses. Ventoux is a very under-rated appellation.

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