Technically part of the Southern Rhône delta, the Ventoux is in reality a satellite of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a much higher elevation than its famous neighbor. The higher elevation gives the Grenache—Grenache is king here in the Ventoux as it is in nearby Vacqueyras—longer hang-time on the vines. The soil in the Ventoux is not unlike that of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with vineyards that contain large deposits of galets or pudding stones that retain the sun’s heat during the day and keep the vines warm when the temperature drops at night.

Other vineyard sites under the Chaudière’s care are very similar to Vacqueyras, where the vines are found in deep beds of gravel. Temperatures in the Ventoux tend to be cooler than the rest of the Southern Rhône. The region’s Mediterranean climate is protected from the blustery Mistral by the Dentelles de Montmirail to the west and the Ventoux Massif to the northeast. The intense summer sun is offset by cool nights, which is especially favorable weather for the long summer growing season.

It was in 1985 that the Chaudières left their jobs—Edith was a voice therapist and Paul was a physical therapist—to study winemaking at Suze la Rousse. The year 1989 marked the creation of their property in Mormoiron (one of the tiny villages that dot the beautiful countryside under Mont Ventoux) and today their holdings stretch across three communes. The Chaudières favor old vines—as their low yields result in great concentration of fruit and plenty of terroir expression—and natural winemaking techniques.

This wine is a beautiful purple, well, it is almost black in the glass with a nose that is seemingly possessed by dazzling scents of homemade blackberry jam, cream de cassis, tar, bacon fat, dried orange peel, asphalt, saddle leather and violet. Voluptuous is a good way to begin describing the velvety palate that is simply loaded with dense creamy black and red fruit components, sweet violet, lavender, spice and dazzling mineral tones. This Grenache/Syrah blend is drinking beautifully right now and we highly recommend serving it with leg of lamb.

—Donald

“The 2004 Pesquie Terrasses, a blend of 70% Grenache that is 60 years old and 30% Syrah that is 30 years old, all aged in barrel, is an amazing wine for an astonishingly low price. Deep ruby/purple with notes of truffle, tar, blackberry, and cassis, the wine is vibrant, full-bodied, lush, and ideal for drinking over the next 4-5 years. It is nearly too good to be true, and many people familiar with wine in that price range will be absolutely amazed by its sheer concentration and character, so be prepared. Chateau Pesquie certainly ranks among the top two or three estates of the Cotes du Ventoux.” —WA 90