Vignerons de Mont Ventoux Cuvee des Trois Messes Masses, 2018

Oh, what a welcome blast from the past! This is how Ventoux and Cotes du Rhone wines tasted when it was possible to buy a 12-bottle case of such wines for $35 to $50 a case. It is a taste I love but have a hard time finding these days.

Bright crimson. No blue or purple tints. Ripe red cherries, red raspberries and peppercorn. Lovely combination of ripe fruit and peppery, spicy structure. Long, tasty finish. Made by the Ventoux cooperative; aged several months in concrete vats. 50% Grenache, 30% Carignane and 20% Syrah. Fairly widely available in Michigan for about $12 a bottle.