On the east side of the Rhone as you drive north from Avignon sits the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range. One region on the rise uptop is Beaumes de Venise, Down the hill is Gigondas. Up the road is Vacqueyras. As you go north you reach Seguret. But on the other side of the Dentelles mountains you have Mont Ventoux, the granite topped mountain range with some of the Rhone’s next cadre of underdiscovered gems.
Take Domaine du Colibri.
This new winery was started by Olivier Legranger, an understudy of Xavier Vignon, Colibri produces small batches of Rhone blends that are generous examples of freshness and body.
The 2017 Le Petit Tour Rose AOP Ventoux is a blend of 70% Grenache and Cinsault 30% grapes. Showing up with a very pale color, almost as light as some Cotes de Provence, the La Tour Rose is loaded up with strawberry and black raspberry fruit, some white rose and violet aromas, along with a hint of lime.
The 2016 La Tour Rouge AOP Ventoux is made from Grenache and Carignan and in many ways drinks more like a Chateauneuf du Pape than a Beaumes de Venise or a Ventoux. It has layers of blackberry, black raspberry, black plums and black cherries. The body is fleshy, with chewy layers and Provence herbs showing themselves well.
The two are great wines to seek out, and enjoy. And that’s why the Domaine du Colibri Rouge and Rose are the WineSiders’ Wines of the Day!!!
