Wines of the Ventoux region of France continue to make a mark on the wine scene for those in the know. One of the early producers from the mountain region that has steadily left a favorable impression on wine shop owners in the USA who know what’s going to be the real deal is Domaine de Fondreche, a smart, well-positioned producer whose wines have been gracing my own cellar and table since 2010. It’s now time for their wines to reach yours.
Fondreche is one of the regions’ producers that should be thought of as one of the “benchmark” brands from the Ventoux region. Fondreche, like Chateau Unang, Chataue Pesquie, Chene Bleu, Juvenal, Vintur, Clos de Trias, Martinelle, St. Jean du Barroux and others was very visible at Decouvertes du Rhone last month.
Between that event week long event and Ventoux Rising, Fondreche, and the others showed off high quality, fine and elegant wines that are helping to draw attention to the area, standing apart from negociant and cooperative grade bottlings that have long seen wider distribution.
While the Fondreche Ventoux Rouge bottling has always been a great “go-to” choice, vs. Cotes du Rhones, it’s the high-grade Persia release that always grabs my attention. It just requires a bit of patience.
The 2017 Domaine de Fondreche Persia Rouge Ventoux is a knockout. Made from 90% Syrah and 10 % Mourvèdre that spends a year in large oak barrels of both barriques and foudres size, it’s a spicy, juicy, mouth-filling red wine that never quits.
Layers of pie-filling blueberry and black raspberry fruit follow the rich, lush, spicy nose of black pepper and licorice, and some chocolate/carob scents. While you’ll want to drink it now, as it’s already an irresistible red wine, history has shown that the Persia ages very well, and from fruit forward years like 2017 was, will be even better in 5-7 years if you can keep your hands off the bottles.
That’s why the 2017 Domaine du Fondreche Persia Ventoux Rouge is today’s WineSiders Wine of The Day!
