A salty rim lends mouthwatering refreshment to deep, concentrated blackberry and cassis flavors in this blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. While decadently fruity, it's lifted and perfumed too, accented by sprays of lavender and smoky tea leaves along with fine, feathery tannins. Delicious young, the wine should hold through 2030.

An assemblage of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache put together to approximate the final blend, the 2018 Ventoux Quintessence utilized a bit higher proportion of demi-muids than the 2017. The result is that notes of vanilla and baking spices accent the raspberry fruit on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is plush and creamy, finishing long, velvety and simply put, deliciously.

The 2018 Ventoux Quintessence is mostly Syrah (20% Grenache) that was all destemmed and will spend a year in roughly 30% new French oak. It offers an elegant bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, ground pepper, and leafy herbs as well as medium-bodied richness, fine tannins, and a great finish. It's elegant, fine, and finesse-oriented on the palate, and will drink well in its youth as well as keep for over a decade.

An elegant, floral-edged version, with charming cherry and plum purée flavors lined with subtle tea and garrigue notes. The silky, fresh finish is sneaky and long. Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2023. 8,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.