I’ve had the good fortune to taste many of the wines from Clos de Trias and their ex-pat winemaker Even Bakke. While it would be easy to extoll the virtues of his tremendous and power packed 2007 Vieilles Vignes or the 2010 Pied Porcher, the nod for general drinking and everyday, ready now enjoyment, goes to his 2013 Clos de Trias Ventoux Rouge.
Much like Chene Bleu, and a few other wineries who dare to fly in the face of conventional wisdom that you have to release red wines within two years or so of harvest (look at Chateauneuf du Pape) where the 2017’s are hitting store shelves now, Bakke believes that you release wines when they are ready. That means his 2014 Ventous Rouge is just shipping, while the 2013, a really ready now wine, is more widely available.
The 2013 picks up where the 2012 left off. It’s as voluptuously seducing as its prior siblings, curvaciously built in body, sexily robed in color and style, and ready for you right now.
The Grenache, which dominates the red wine is the most obvious, but its what else that is in the blend, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan that makes this such a strong rival to top Cotes du Rhones releases from Beaucastel, Clape, la Janesse and others who dress up wines from the areas just outside of the line of demarcation surrounding Chateauneuf du Pape or from the hills up north.
In many ways Bakke’s market entry effort provides strong indication for how the rest of the wines of Clos de Trias from that vintage will fare.
It’s another landmark effort for the rising region of the Ventoux, and a wine that goes very well with just about all things on the plate. Blackberry, blueberry, black raspberry, some red plums, a bit of Provencale herbs, and some lingering star anise make this as engaging as it is one to just savor. The wine has everything and more, and can rival many wines at far higher price points.
That’s why the 2013 Clos de Trias Ventoux Rouge is today’s WineSiders’ Wine of The Day.
