2016 Domaine de Fondreche ‘Ventoux Divergente’ Rhone Blend

JD97 Reminding me of one of the Sélections Parcellaires Hermitage from Michel Chapoutier, the 2016 Ventoux Divergente is 90% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre that was mostly destemmed and brought up in foudre. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, peppered meats, graphite, and liquid rock notes all flow to a fat, unctuous, sexy Syrah that has beautiful acidity, fine tannin, and a huge finish. It’s a true “Wow” wine that needs to be tasted to be believed. Put this in a blind lineup of top Hermitage and shock all your friends.

Enough can’t be said of the quality coming from Sebastien Vincenti’s and Nanou Barthelemy’s estate in the Ventoux, which is located on a limestone plateau on the eastern side of the region. These are deep, rich, concentrated wines that offer loads of personality.