Monday 18 April 2011

Château Pesquié - Côtes du Ventoux 1997

This wine was such a surprise. I gave it to a friend of me who racked it for many years and the week before last it came back to me. This wine has matured well over twelve or so years. The wine has turned a garnet colour and has a pronounced aroma of dried fruits. The tannins in the wine are softening and the wine threw a sediment in the bottle. Many years ago I remember the tastes of red fruits but this taste has matured to a taste of prunes and dried fruits there was also a hint of spice. The taste was concentrated and complex and it had long length. The wine has benefitted from the ageing process. This is high quality wine with a distinctive taste at a reasonable price. It was a very pleasant surprise. The wine is produced from old vines in Provence and in a micro-climate on the Côtes du Ventoux from limestone based gravel soils. The vineyards of course are planted with grape varities suited to the Rhone valley and dominated by Grenache and Syrah. This is why the wine has a distinctive flavour.

Once again this demonstrates being patient; you do not need to drink wine immediately after bottling. Although Château Pesquié - Côtes du Ventoux can be enjoyed young, like all good wines it can be enjoyed after keeping for ten years or more. It is the balance between the quality of the tannins and the levels of acidity and alcohol which confer longevity. This wine is highly recommended.

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